Should Hong Kong police be blamed for protesters' violence?

Editor's note: A Hong Kong police officer was hospitalized after he was shot in his calf by an arrow during clashes with protesters near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. Since June, violent protesters have been attacking the Hong Kong police, who took action to control the situation, according to the law, but were accused by protesters and Western media of police brutality and abuse of power. Each time a confrontation occurs, accusations of violence by the police are often more stringent than the mobs' irrational acts. Is this an accurate claim? Tom Fowdy, a British political and international relations analyst who lived in Hong Kong, shares his views with CGTN.

There's an underlining narrative, from the protests and their key figures, that when you see the scenes of violence in Hong Kong, it is apparently the police that provoke them to do that. They claimed that it is a means of self defense. But, honestly, once you look at the evidence in its practical terms, this just makes no sense.

It's not just a battle between activists and the police. We've seen how the most violent demonstrators have openly targeted properties and businesses that they deem to be "pro-Beijing". They have destroyed Xiaomi stores. They have destroyed Bank of China branches. They have intentionally started fires and destroyed transport infrastructure because it is linked to the authorities. We have seen growing attacks on Chinese mainlanders present in the city. We've seen a man set on fire. There's an elderly gentleman who's now passed away after a brick being thrown off his head.

The idea that this violence is justifiable and encapsulated in the scope of retaliation to police activities is absolutely ludicrous. And it more resembles an all embracing hatred and pursuit of everything linked to the Chinese mainland. It's just not a justifiable defense.

When I lived in Hong Kong, it was quite evident that there was an underlying prejudice against the Chinese mainland. It wasn't just a political prejudice against it; it was social prejudice too.

As the violence continues escalating, this social prejudice is finding its way into the various conflicts and confrontations taking part. For example, simply speaking mandarin in front of the demonstrators can be grounds for immediate suspicion and confrontation, even if you're on their side.

Because the movement is driven by a completely irrational and unrestrained hatred for the Chinese mainland, this means that the people themselves are simply not safe. It goes beyond the scope of the government and the authorities, and there is no buffer as to what that particular backlash will target.