Isolated occupation

An opinion poll conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) has indicated that social order is the core value Hong Kong residents treasure most. According to the survey, the "Occupy Central" campaign receives little support from the general public. The researchers pointed out that if organizers of "Occupy Central" fail to align the campaign with core values rooted in this city, their aim to gain recognition from the residents will be doomed. This campaign is now being acknowledged as an ill-intended movement which goes against the interests of most members in this city and violates the principle of democracy. Surely it will enjoy no popularity among our citizens.

The HKIEd's result shows that 31.8 percent of the interviewees believe keeping social order is the most important principle, suggesting an explicit opposing attitude of the public towards any social movement that negatively affects their normal lives, including the brewing "Occupy Central" campaign.

Other than the above stats, scholars from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have estimated that losses of up to HK$1.6 billion per day will be foisted on our society with every day's occupation in Central, the heart of finance and trade in Hong Kong. The initiators of "Occupy Central" have openly admitted their target is to paralyze Central, regardless of whatever the cost might be on social order or the economy. The just-ended industrial action at the container port is a case in point with dockers losing HK$10 million in wages and contractors suffering direct losses of more than HK$200 million, not to mention the damage it caused on the image of Hong Kong as an international trade hub.

With the occupation launched, traffic services will be hindered and millions of citizens' normal lives will be affected. Apart from that, the blow will also strike hard on the surrounding commercial tenants and tourists whose schedules will be postponed. One cannot overestimate the negative impact this campaign will cast on the reputation of Hong Kong, as well as on the world's confidence towards the city.

The advocates of "Occupy Central" confess the illegitimacy of their movement and will submit to punishment at the end of their campaign. However, no amount of punishment will match the immeasurable loss they will have wrought on society.

The author is a current affairs commentator. This is an excerpted translation of his article published in Hong Kong Commercial Daily on May 9.

(HK Edition 05/10/2013 page1)