Zhong Sheng
The US Congress passed the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 recently in an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of China, regardless of the solemn representations from China and the strong opposition of the Hong Kong society.
Driven by the political conspiracy to disrupt Hong Kong and curb China’s development, some US officials have openly supported the Hong Kong rioters and fueled the already messed-up situation in the region.
As a serious breach of morality and nature justice, they choose to secure personal interests at others’ expense, and will certainly pay the price in the end.
At present, the most pressing task for Hong Kong is to bring violence and chaos to an end and restore order. One thing we’ve learnt from the turbulent regions of the world is that social disorder always results in human rights and democracy being damaged badly.
Hong Kong has been put into chaos for quite a while. Radical protesters have recklessly committed many heinous and violent crimes, and even caused innocent citizens to die.
They smashed and burned shops, greatly disabled the traffic, blocked universities and caused classes to be suspended, threatening and endangering the basic rights and freedom of Hong Kong citizens.
None of the countries in the world that feature civil society and rule of law could tolerate such violent acts and wanton destruction.
To stop violence and end chaos is a requirement of civil society, rule of law and the popular will.
Only by punishing and stopping the violent rioters in accordance with the law can we maintain the well-being of the local people as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Anyone with conscience and a sense of justice is well aware that Hong Kong can’t continue to be chaotic anymore.
As reported by Lianhe Zaobao, the largest Singapore-based Chinese-language newspaper, Hong Kong’s signature neon light billboards are turning off because of the turmoil, symbolizing the dimming future of the region.
As one of the world’s most important trading and financial centers, Hong Kong needs to climb out of the current situation, if not, the chaos will bring disaster on both Hong Kong residents and foreign companies there.
In fact, many American enterprises in Hong Kong have already become worried about the chaos.
Statistics from the US suggest that the country has witnessed a larger trade surplus with Hong Kong compared with its other global trading partners in the past 10 years, with the number exceeding $33 billion in 2018 alone.
Among the 1,344 American companies stationed in Hong Kong, 278 are regional headquarters. In addition, about 85,000 Americans live in Hong Kong.
Tara Joseph, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, has kept a clear mind and said repeatedly that it is crucial to see an end to violence in Hong Kong.
Some US politicians, however, challenged the world justice and seek personal gains out of the chaos, which has invited criticism from the international community.
It should be noticed that the US has stirred up trouble in Hong Kong in its own interests, said Tariq Senuti, an Egyptian journalist, adding that the Hong Kong issue is not as simple as it seems and the political interests hidden behind are the major forces that have continued to escalate it.
The Hong Kong-related bill passed by the US has blatantly interfered in China’s internal affairs, distorted the truth, supported the anti-China radicals and seriously violated the international law and basic norms of international relations.
The dark clouds could never hide the sun forever and one day it will be clear again. More and more Hong Kong citizens have stepped up efforts to clear the roadblocks and support the police to resist the violent protesters and false democracy.
Facts have repeatedly proven that to achieve development and prosperity requires order and rule of law.
Recently, 20 companies in Hong Kong jointly issued an open letter with the five major chambers of commerce in Hong Kong, calling on people who love Hong Kong to make efforts in order to finally stop the violence and chaos and protect their homeland.
There is no doubt that to stop the violence and chaos is what the majority want and any kind of hegemonic interference by the US is destined to fail.
Some American politicians should realize the historical trend and the aspiration of Hong Kong residents, and stop interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong and the internal affairs of China.
China will never allow any external force to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the “one country, two systems” policy.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)
止暴制乱的正义之举乃人心所向（钟声）
美国国会不顾中方多次严正交涉和香港社会强烈反对，通过所谓“2019年香港人权与民主法案”，粗暴干涉中国内政。美国一些政客出于搞乱香港以遏制中国发展的政治图谋，公然为香港暴力犯罪分子张目撑腰、给乱局火上浇油，这种火中取栗的危险之举，严重违背道义和公理，必将付出代价。
止暴制乱、恢复秩序，是当下香港最紧迫的任务。看看世界上那些发生骚乱的地方，社会失序的后果都是人权与民主遭到巨大破坏。一段时间以来的香港，就出现了这种令人痛心的状况——暴力犯罪分子有恃无恐，制造多起令人发指的恶性伤人事件，甚至导致无辜平民死亡；商铺被打砸抢烧，交通大面积中断，学校停课，广大市民的基本权利和自由受到严重损害和威胁。试问，哪一个文明社会能够容忍野蛮暴行？哪一个法治社会能够放任肆意破坏？止暴制乱，文明所需，法治所依，民心所向！只有依法制止和惩治暴力犯罪活动，才能维护香港广大民众的福祉，才能保持香港社会长期繁荣稳定。
世界上任何一个有良知、讲公道的人都能明白，香港绝不能继续乱下去了。正如新加坡《联合早报》刊文指出的，随着社会动荡，一个个香港“招牌”的霓虹灯在依次关掉，流失的是香港的未来。香港本是世界最重要的贸易、金融中心之一，香港乱下去，不止香港本地人遭殃，各国在港企业也必定跟着蒙受损失。面对香港乱象，美国许多企业已经忧心忡忡。根据美方统计，过去10年，美国在香港赚取的贸易顺差在其全球贸易伙伴中是最大的，单在2018年已超过330亿美元。有关数据显示，现有1344家美国驻港公司中，278家是地区总部；此外，约有8.5万名美国人在港居住。香港美国商会会长塔拉•约瑟夫对此十分清醒，他一再强调“眼下对香港至关重要的就是停止暴力”。
反观美国一些政客的做法，借乱局牟取私利，为私利挑战公理，令国际有识之士十分不齿。近期曾访问香港的埃及《金字塔晚报》副总编塔里克•萨努提一针见血地指出：“不能忽视的是，美国在香港暴力事件中煽风点火，并试图从中获取私利……香港问题绝不仅仅是表面的问题，背后的大国政治利益才是其不断演化的最主要因素。”必须严正指出，美国国会通过的所谓“2019年香港人权与民主法案”公然干涉中国内政，并罔顾事实、指鹿为马，纵容和支持“反中乱港”势力的暴力犯罪行为，严重违反国际法和国际关系基本准则。
乌云不可能永远遮住太阳，云开雾散终有时。有目共睹，越来越多香港市民挺身而出，用清理路障的行动、用支持警察的声浪，抵制“假民主”，坚决反暴力。事实一再教育人们，秩序是发展必须，法治是繁荣基石。香港20家公司近日联合五大商会向全香港市民发出公开信，呼吁所有希望香港好的人共同发出正能量，向暴力说不，全面实现止暴制乱，保护大家共同的家园。
毫无疑问，香港止暴制乱的正义之举是人心所向，美方任何形式的霸权干涉都注定是徒劳的。奉劝美国一些政客看清世界潮流，看准人心走向，放弃玩火游戏，不要再做插手香港事务、干涉中国内政的事情。要知道，中方决不会允许任何破坏香港繁荣稳定、破坏“一国两制”的企图得逞
