Editorial | An international city like Hong Kong must allow room for diversity
- In the wake of President Xi Jinping’s address, it is incumbent upon the city to uphold national security while allowing room for opposition and meaningful checks and balances
The need for Hong Kong to clamp down on “anti-China forces” has again been highlighted in a seminar on President Xi Jinping’s landmark address in the city early this month. But there is also reassurance that this is not to kill off political diversity and suppress dissent.
It is incumbent upon Hong Kong to uphold national security while maintaining its status as an international city and allowing room for opposition and meaningful checks and balances.
The latest remarks by Xiao Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, is the clearest indication yet Beijing remains concerned over threats facing the city.
“We must resolutely clamp down on all anti-China forces that destabilise Hong Kong and Macau and leave no crack in the process,” he said. “We must resolutely launch struggles against external forces in the United States and the West.”
It is unfortunate that Hong Kong has been embroiled in an intensifying diplomatic war. Given the China-US and regional tensions, the guard against what Beijing sees as foreign meddling is likely to prevail, if not escalate.
