They say this is for the future of Hong Kong

18:57, October 10, 2019

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  Hong Kong’s future lies in being part of China: Martin Jacques

  Editors Note: Protests in Hong Kong, which have been going on for months, have evolved into riots ravaging the city. Are the young rioters really pursuing democracy? What are the root causes of Hong Kongs problems? Global Times (GT) London correspondent Sun Wei talked to Martin Jacques (Jacques), a senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Cambridge University, about these issues.Martin Jacques. (Photo: Sun Wei/GT)GT: Hong Kong has witnessed violent protests. We know that after the Ukrainian revolution, many street protests in various countries turned violent. Do you think this is what democracy needs?Jacques: No, I think that demonstrations in Hong Kong have got completely out of hand and violent. I think in many respects they can be described as nihilistic. The destruction of public property has a very bad effect on Hong Kongs economy and the viability and harmony of Hong Kong society. I think that its quite different from the huge demonstration by three million people who earlier demanded the withdrawal of the Extradition Bill. I think that clearly reflected a very, very widespread view in Hong Kong society. One has to respect that. But these violent demonstrations are an entirely different matter.GT: If similar violence took place in a Western country, how would the policymakers treat the protesters? What would be the reaction?Jacques: If these violent demonstrations were happening in, for example, Britain or any Western society for that matter, they would be immediately clamped down on. There was an example of this several months ago with Extinction Rebellion, the anti-global warming campaign, which was overwhelmingly composed of women. They occupied some streets in central London in an entirely peaceful manner. They were first met in a relatively peaceful way, the police didnt try to move them.But as it went on for several days, there was a kind of growing outrage, particularly in the right-wing press. If i...

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  Hong Kong actress beaten by rioters

  A local actress was beaten by rioters on the street in Mong Kok, Hong Kong on Sunday, according to a video released on the internet.Actress Celine Ma Tai-Lau, known for several media images, was attacked by several rioters in the video and was obviously injured and bleeding.

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  HK's future in the balance, scholar says

  Jacques.Hong.Kong.