'Yellow ribbon' map is social retrogression

Maps for members of the "yellow ribbon" and "blue ribbon" groups showing where to live, eat and get around separately have circulated on the internet in Hong Kong.

The "Yellow ribbon" group refers to people who supported the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014, while the "blue ribbon" group is composed of people who supported police and the SAR government; as blue is the color of police uniforms.

The demonstrations that started in opposition to a bill to amend the SAR's extradition law in June soon became violent. Radical protesters blocked Hong Kong International Airport, MTR stations and main traffic hubs. They tried to break into the SAR Legislative Council building, wantonly damaging LegCo facilities. They defiled the national emblem and national flag. They hurled bricks and gasoline bombs at police officers and police vehicles and set fire to barricades. Some radicals even attempted to snatch a police officer's revolver over the weekend. Over 2,200 police officers and their family members have been doxxed since June.

The maps came out after radical protesters assaulted people with different political views.

The riots have already ripped Hong Kong apart, and the map directing people of different political views to live apart is a further step to divide society, which is a total retrogression.

Choosing where to live, eat and get around are basic human rights. Separating people by different political views is a heavy blow to Hong Kong as a free society, and can't solve existing problems.

Dialogue is always the better way to solve problems rather than violence. "Communication is better than confrontation," as HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said.

This week, 100 to 200 people from all walks of life will be invited to talks to discuss deep-rooted problems facing the city, Lam announced last Tuesday.

We hope people of different political views can think for the good of Hong Kong, comprehend and embrace each other, making out a way for Hong Kong to return to its previous prosperity and glory.