Michael Chugani

Opinion | With Hong Kong changing before our eyes, Beijing just can’t make Hongkongers love China

The central government’s liaison office recently reminded Hongkongers that patriotism was a duty, not a choice. It is wishful thinking that national education, censoring textbooks, or deregistering a teacher will make young people patriots

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A pedestrian walks past the Chinese and Hong Kong flats at City Garden in North Point. Photo: Felix Wong

Michael Chugani

Published: 8:30am, 15 Oct 2020Updated: 8:38am, 15 Oct 2020

As a child growing up in colonial Hong Kong, I noticed flags at home windows every October 1 and 10. Only when I was older did I understand the different flags celebrated China’s National Day and Taiwan’s Double Tenth national holiday.

The Taiwanese flags gradually disappeared, especially after reunification. In today’s Hong Kong, few would dare display one, for fear of violating the national security law and the one-China policy.

Some Kuomintang loyalists tried to celebrate October 10 last Saturday at the historic Red House in Tuen Mun, where modern China’s founding father, Sun Yat-sen, spent time. Police and security guards blocked them. Speaking as a peaceful believer in free speech, this was further proof that Hong Kong’s freedoms have become a facade.

I am not one for wrapping a flag around me to prove my patriotism. My patriotism for my adopted country, the United States, resides inside me. The US allows me the choice to love my flag, burn it in protest, or kneel when the national anthem is played.

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Silent Double Tenth Day in Hong Kong under national security law

That’s why I found it so alien when the boss of the central government’s liaison office, Luo Huining, lectured Hongkongers that patriotism was a duty, not a choice. It reminded me of two incidents, one in Hong Kong and the other in London.