Most of the readers who follow headlines in the news would know that the protest in Hong Kong has stepped in its fourth month with no ending in sight.

I was born in Hong Kong, raised in Taiwan until I was 5 and spent my younger part of my life (11 years) in Hong Kong until I immigrated to Canada with my parents at the age of 16.  I consider myself Canadian Chinese and not “Hong Kongers”.  Although I have no intention of going back to Hong Kong because I enjoy Canada’s rural scenery more than the hectic city life, I am somewhat saddened by the chaos, violence and sharp disparity Hong Kong citizens have suffered.

Since I have not been living in Hong Kong for 26 years, I am least qualified to speak for people who live in Hong Kong.  However, I am still concern with the well being of “Hong Kongers” because I still have relatives and friends living in HK.  And I am still thankful for the tiny piece of land where I spent my youthful years.

First of all, I am a Christian, a Chinese and a Canadian, in that order.  I love China, but I do not support the People’s Communist government currently in power.  People often confused about the idea that loving a country means loving the government.  Nothing is far from reality.  I love Canada and will defend her with all cost, but I do not support the current Liberal government at all.

There is nothing good about Marxism and I will go as far to say that the core idea of communism is evil and anti-God.  From history, we can see that nations that adopted some form of capitalism were the most prosperous (i.e. US, Europe).  That does not mean that there were no crimes or social issues in these nations; however, comparing with nations that were under Islamic and communistic rules (e.g. Soviet Union), people generally enjoy more freedom and substance in a capitalistic society.

In June and July, there were 2 occasions of million-people march against the HK Extradition Bill (now withdrawed).  The protest was mostly peaceful and I fully support the rights of citizens to peacefully protest against any bills they deem harmful.  However, violence soon erupted across the city.  Crowd (mostly young people) started to vandalize, attack police, shutdown traffic with barricades, commit arson, etc…  Almost everyday there are pockets of violence where tear gas, rubber bullets, bricks, umbrellas and sharp objects would fly around on streets.  Families are torn apart where parents would beg their youngsters to stay home while the hot blooded young men and women would put on their masks and helmets, grab their umbrellas and start another day of protest and fight with police.

I have seen many video clips where older citizens would argue and reason with younger generation to stop the violence and let the general public go back to normal living.  Of course, police resort to force in order to restore order and there are cases of unnecessary violence on their part as well.  Nevertheless, I think Hong Kong police have shown great restraint when facing the violent mob.

Yes, I used the word “mob” to describe this small percentage of  unruly young people who openly attack police and insult seniors.

One thing that really puzzles me is why are the US and UK flags being waved?  Why do some people think that there is democracy in the Western world?

If the same violence and protest has taken place in US, it would be quelled within a week with mass casualties.  Police are brutal in US.  In most cases, they would shoot to kill before asking questions.  Most police departments have been militarized to the point where military weapons are standard issue to the SWAT teams.

If you dare to throw a sharp stick or push a burning shopping cart towards the police in US, they will fire upon you instantly and legally.  The police officer has every right to protect himself when his life is in danger.  This should apply to HK police as well.   It is not a matter of whether the mob carry firearms.  A good number of people killed by US police are unarmed and pose no harm to the police.  Simply go to youtube and look for yourself.

Have we seen a single case where a HK police officer fire upon the “mob” when they are attacked and cornered?  I pray that this would never happen.

Could there be foreign powers inciting and instigating the riot and violence?  Most probably.  Where else would the mob get the funding for the endless masks, helmets, umbrellas etc…..  Who can afford to go on the street every day and smash everything in your sight?  A young person without a job is an easy target.

Now after 4 months of chaos, HK GDP is sharply lower.  Police are over-stressed.  Normal living of the general public is greatly disrupted.  Stores have to be closed.  Hotels are emptied.  Subway stations are full of broken glasses.  Transit and airport has to be shutdown periodically.  Hong Kong is no longer the attractive “Pearl of the East” for tourism.  Several countries have issued “travel advisory” against HK, including Canada.

Even though some HK people do not want to be governed under China’s communist ruling part, the fact remains that HK is part of China.  The prosperity that HK enjoys since 1980s was very much due to the “market economy reform” designed by Deng Xiaoping.  The West wanted the cheap labor force from mainland China (and HK to some extent) while China needed the capitals for setting up factories and superior technologies from the West.  Hong Kong, being closest to mainland China and protected by a Western judiciary system thanks to the former British colonial government, became the perfect “middleman”.

As China continued to open up to the world with more Western corporations conducting business directly within mainland China, the importance of HK as the “gate to China” dwindles continuously.

While  technically HK is still under “one country, 2 systems” policy, it will be under “one country, 1 system” in year 2047.  What then?  Unless HK completely breaks off from China and becomes an independent nation like Singapore, her fate is sealed.  Is US going to foster HK as her overseas state in order to encircle China?  May be.

But look at Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.  These countries have an on-going treaty with US whereas US would protect them from communist China.  However, we can witnessed the economical bullying these Asian countries suffered in the hands of “big brother” US.  They have to pay large amount of money to US every year in exchange for the military protection, in addition, they have to purchase old military equipment (e.g. aged F-16 jets) from US.

I can feel the agony HK people are facing and I do not have a good solution but I know that we need to avoid blood and violence on the streets.  It is a tough question when or should we pick up arms and overturn a tyrannical government (think American Revolution against British).

As for myself, I am just an alien on this earth and my eternal home is in the Celestial city with everlasting God.