Observer: ‘Mutual destruction’ activities in HK hinder fight against COVID-19
People's Daily app
1596006212000

Observer.jpg

Hong Kong has seen a significant rebound in COVID-19 cases recently, with more than 100 confirmed cases in 7 straight days and a rising trend. China’s central government said all necessary support will be provided at the request of the HKSAR government at any time, especially on the improvement of virus-testing capacity, and the construction of makeshift hospitals.

Since the new wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong, the HKSAR government has been stepping up contingency measures to contain the spread of the virus, while the central government has been paying close attention to the resurgence of newly confirmed cases, and helping arrange a large number of anti-disease materials to Hong Kong to provide for its urgent needs.

However, the opposition camp in Hong Kong ignores the severe situation of epidemic, carrying out illegal rallies and primaries to incite people to the streets, causing large-scale assemblies, putting the safety of citizens behind political expedience, and increasing the risk of transmission of the virus.

Hong Kong is now taking a toll from the coronavirus. A handful of people in Hong Kong even put forward strange remarks. When the HKSAR government introduced nucleic acid testing capabilities from the Chinese mainland, they cried out that this was a “genetic extradition to China” and spread rumors that “these diagnostic centers from the Chinese mainland may spread the epidemic”. When the HKSAR government requested medic support, they arrogantly said the “medics cannot communicate in English”, and falsely claimed “no need for support from the Chinese mainland, because Hong Kong is sufficient in medical resources and staff”. Such blatant attempts totally ignored the health and safety of Hong Kong citizens.

The opposition camp is still “politicizing” the issues and creating political separation. Medical teams from China went to other countries to carry out cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and were heaped with praise. When they tried to lend a helping hand to compatriots in Hong Kong, they were met with malicious suspicion. Attempts to create a spurious impression that the HKSAR government is ineffective in epidemic prevention, and a “gamble” to the lives of Hong Kong people, are maneuvered behind this cold-blooded behavior. Attaching more importance to politics than life and using the epidemic as a political tool, is no different from a “mutual destructive” behavior of sacrificing more than seven million people in Hong Kong with a handful of radicals’ political interests. 

At this moment, the epidemic is Hong Kong’s biggest crisis, and fighting it the biggest consensus. The statement from the central government is reassuring. As long as Hong Kong is united in fighting the epidemic, victory will prevail.

(Compiled by An Bowen)