Hong Kong protesters attacking tourists are worse than gangsters

Protesters wearing masks shout at mainland Chinese travellers (C) during a demonstration inside a shopping mall in Hong Kong February 15, 2015. Anti-mainland Chinese demonstrators on Sunday protested against parallel traders and confronted police, government radio reported. [Photo/Agencies]

Responding to an online call, protesters assembled in some streets in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and harassed, even attacked, shoppers they thought were mainland tourists. Comments:

For several weekends, some people have been disrupting social order claiming they are battling smuggling. With their faces masked, they have attacked seniors, surrounded women and frightened children; they are worse than gangsters. They will receive deserved punishment.

Jing Wong, Hong Kong-based film director, via Sina micro blog, March 9

Some of the protesters have even advocated independence for Hong Kong, which is illegal and against Hong Kong's rule of law spirit. Such ideas belong to only a limited number of Hong Kong residents, and we must be careful not to allow them to cast a negative effect upon politics in reality.

Rao Geping, a professor of law at Peking University, March 7

The protesters said they are against tourists purchasing many products and selling them in the mainland for profit. But they have attacked passers-by on the streets, and their deeds make them seem more like gangsters.

Lai Tung-kwok, Hong Kong secretary for security, March 10

Hong Kong people should be more tolerant and open to visitors ... As to some people traveling to and from Hong Kong many times after obtaining a pass in order to ship goods for profit, the SAR government needs to discuss closing the loopholes with mainland officials.

Ambrose Lee, former Hong Kong secretary for security and currently a deputy to the National People's Congress, March 10

In today's Hong Kong, political considerations have already undermined professionalism. Many professionals are no longer able to exercise professional judgment in their daily jobs, because they fear of being considered politically incorrect.

Chan Chong-kun, a Hong Kong-based lawyer, nanzao.com, March 9

As interactions between the mainland and Hong Kong have increased, frictions among individuals are almost unavoidable. The residents of both need to act rationally. Conflicts should neither be radicalized nor politicized.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, March 7