The Occupy Central movement is a gross violation of the law and, if prolonged, will badly hurt Hong Kong, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee Vice Chairman Tung Chee Hwa said.
Mr Tung told reporters today that the occupation has severely affected people’s lives and livelihood, social order and investment confidence, and has torn society apart. It is time for it to stop.
He said the relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland has also been affected and without the motherland’s back-up, Hong Kong would not have the prosperity it enjoyed today.
Some people believed that striving for democracy justified breaking the law, but Mr Tung said such thoughts are worrying because the rule of law is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success and is an indispensable element of democracy which should not be disregarded.
He said as the movement entered the fourth week, its effect on the local economy is emerging. Reports show there has already been a 20% to 30% drop in the hotel room reservation rate and credit-card spending, which is expected to drop further.
Mr Tung said the adverse economic impact would affect many people’s livelihoods. He added that when Hong Kong reunified with the motherland, its contribution to the Mainland’s GDP was 16%, which has dropped to 3% at present.
It is time for Hong Kong to pick up the pieces and rebuild mutual trust with the Mainland, he said.
