- City’s first chief executive reiterates support for Hong Kong police and says there can be no compromise with those who challenge Beijing
- ‘We have reasons to believe there were masterminds behind the storm,’ he adds
Former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa has accused the United States and Taiwan of orchestrating the "well-organised" recent protests against the Hong Kong government.
Tung, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also warned on Wednesday that there could be no compromise with those who challenge Beijing's sovereignty and damage the city's stability.
He said he remained firmly behind the Hong Kong police and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. He called on Lam's government to listen to public opinion and solve long-standing problems such as housing, health care, education and pensions.
"Some young people have vented their anxiety and helplessness through street politics. Yet, with Beijing's backing and various sectors' support behind the government, we are capable of breaking the social deadlock," he said.
The former chief executive said he was confident Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China and "Asia's central city", could overcome challenges under Beijing's "one country, two systems" governing principle.
Tung's remarks came as he addressed more than 100 business leaders, professionals and pro-Beijing politicians at a lunch organised by the Our Hong Kong Foundation, a think tank he founded and chairs.
Tung, who served as the city's first chief executive from 1997 to 2005, was making his first public comments since protesters besieged Beijing's liaison office on July 21 and defaced the national emblem with black paint.
He opened his speech saying he felt sad about the recent protests, which were triggered by a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed the transfer of fugitives to mainland China.
"As the legislative process ended, the protests should come to an end," he said, adding that the unrest had taken a toll on the city's retail, catering and tourism sectors, as well as its small and medium-sized businesses.
Tung said that, rather than being truly leaderless, the protests highlighted that foreign politicians and anti-China forces had been seeking to destroy Hong Kong's relationship with the mainland.
There could be interference from external forces, and various signs are pointing towards Taiwan and the USTung Chee-hwa, chief executive of Hong Kong from 1997 to 2005
"This storm escalated quickly and it was well organised. We have reasons to believe there were masterminds behind the storm," he said.
"There could be interference from external forces, and various signs are pointing towards Taiwan and the US."
Last week, Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, urged the US to "retract its black hand from Hong Kong". A spokesman for the US consulate in Hong Kong said Hua's statement was "ridiculous".
Tung said four principles must be upheld as society seeks to end the extradition crisis: Hong Kong's stability cannot be destroyed, public opinion cannot be ignored, violence cannot continue, and national sovereignty cannot be challenged.
"When the slogan 'Oppose the extradition bill' became 'Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times' " where would these acts, which challenge the central government's authority, bring Hong Kong? We absolutely cannot compromise with those who seek to destabilise and divide the city," he said.
He added that there was nothing to protect people's rights if the "one country, two systems" principle were destroyed.
"All peace-loving residents should draw a line between themselves and violence, and support the police's strict law enforcement," he said.
Tung called on politicians to come up with policies to stabilise the situation.
He did not touch on the demand made by protesters, as well as some former officials and business groups, for a commission of inquiry to examine the causes of the mass protests.
After the lunch, Tung was asked if such a commission should be set up. He sidestepped the question and only thanked journalists for attending the lunch, which was held despite a typhoon signal No 8 warning issued at 1.40pm.
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