Speechless: View CCP's Stance on Lee Bo's Case from Global Times' Op-Ed

View CCP's Stance on Lee Bo's Case from Global Times' Op-Ed

Translated by Karen L., written by Speechless
Original: http://polymerhk.com/articles/2016/01/07/26322/ 

(Screen capture of Global Times)

Despite Global Times' editorials on uncertain whereabouts of Causeway Bay Books' associates went absurd, it is referential as to catching a glimpse of CCP's attitude over the incident.

In Abduction Rumours Scotched by Lee's Fax on 6 Jan, it says,

"Combining Hong Kong media's news reports, Lee Bo is well aware that the investigation he has been assisting in involves a serious matter. Causeway Bay Books, for years, had published and sold a great deal of books that are directed against politics in mainland China. Those books are filled with false content, maliciously attacking the country's political system, and have already brought along bad influences. Although the bookshop is located in Hong Kong, the harm it has done has reached across the border to mainland, for which Lee knows it very well. Personally Lee seems to be willing to handle this in a low profile, whereas Hong Kong media's hype is not doing any good on him and on his business. As to the collateral damage it carries, the oppositions are not going to make it up for anything."

In short, Causeway Bay Books is regarded by CCP as the source of chaos destructing the country's efficient management. Metaphorically speaking, it is a pain in the neck someone intends to get rid of as soon as possible. Disappearance of Lee Bo and his fellow workers, by simple deduction, is expected to be work done by CCP itself, so there's something to be condemned scathingly and a chance to "right the wrong". This so-called "willing" to assist in investigation is merely a lie that sounds nice.

On the next day, 7 Jan, in Speculation over HK Bookstore's Investigation Went Completely Wild, it further clarifies,

"first thing first, even though Causeway Bay Books is based in Hong Kong, the business, in a large extent, targets readers from mainland China – thus stepping one foot in Hong Kong and another in mainland China. It creates interference in the mainland's social order, undermining the foundation of stability. The reasonableness of the investigation therefore is solid, and it is in accordance with the law in China."

In this case, Xi Jinping's emphasis on "rule of law" is being implemented. How? Following the above extreme principle of thinking – bookstore as a means to shaken the stability and social order in China – relevant party being arrested and punished is simply a natural consequence.

People may indicate the fact that according to the Basic Law, CCP's officials have no authority in the jurisdiction of Hong Kong even in the condition that Hongkongers engage in activities which endanger CCP's regime. Or else, if this is not strictly followed, the Basic Law will equate to being null and void. That being so, "One Country, Two Systems" will turn into obliteration, of which it turns out CCP did respond to it.

It says in the Abduction Rumours Scotched by Lee's Fax,

"Hong Kong has practised capitalism, and the people there enjoy freedom of speech. Still, the Two Systems exists in the necessary condition – One Country. Accordingly, Hong Kong cannot be a hostile base where involves activities to overthrow the country's political system. Those extreme oppositions have forced their opinion to transform the Two Systems into an unlimited manner... Based on the wrong knowledge, they attempt aggressively to confront the central government by the radical tool of 'freedom of speech'."

 "One Country overrides Two Systems" is unquestionably CCP's stance that will not concede even an inch. Even though it is explicitly stated in the law that only Hong Kong law-enforcement personnel have the legal authority to enforce laws in Hong Kong, the impregnable position is not up to Basic Law. The absolute power decided that the stability of the party and the country secures the foremost importance. Therefore at the unusual time, Basic Law being treated as a doormat is not a problem at all. Besides, Lee Bo being captured by police from mainland China is so far a speculation; CCP would be like, "haven't been known; therefore, 'Two Systems' is still in effect."

It is further elaborated in Speculation over HK Bookstore's Investigation Went Completely Wild,

"it's certainly a no go if the mainland officials are to truss Lee Bo up and stuff him into some police car to get pass in the checking points. In general, there are some methods for the law-enforcement departments to avoid violation of law and at the same time undergo investigation – a win-win situation."

"One thing is important: there should not be any confrontation between the Basic Law in Hong Kong and Law of the People's Republic of China. The former shall not be exploited to shield someone or some organizations which are in an attempt to sabotage the country’s stability..."

"Those Hongkongers who are obsessed in the opposition of politics should indeed straighten out the essential meaning of 'One Country, Two Systems', quit the fantasy which 'Two Systems' dominates 'One Country', and throw away the assumption which Hong Kong can be safe whatever it does to harm the country's operations..."

Basically, CCP has already admitted that it is the police from mainland China who have taken Lee Bo, simply not with violence. Added with the unproven speculation on the police (or CPHK dare not), "One country, Two Systems" does "sustain". Thus, CCP seems to be confident that this is "a win-win situation". The following two paragraphs quoted from the editorial clarify CCP’s stance that "Two Systems" and "the Basic Law" shall make way for the country’s safety at a certain time.

As to whether Lee Bo can return to Hong Kong someday, Abduction Rumours Scotched by Lee's Fax said, "...Sooner or later, Lee Bo will have to go back to Hong Kong..." and from Speculation over HK Bookstore's Investigation Went Completely Wild, it said, "it seems we will have to wait for Lee Bo’s return and his personal explanation to the media." It is expected that the possibility of release is high, while "his personal explanation to the media" seems to indicate an upcoming press conference, so that the public will be relieved and go back to their lives once again.

If I’m not mistaken, Ng Leung-sing’s speech "those five bookstore guys must have been arrested of slipping across the border and visiting prostitutes" apparently does not meet CCP’s purpose. It is the Achilles’ heel of the loyalists – sycophant who couldn’t able to keep up with their master’s steps; no wonder Ng apologized for what he said the very next day.

Have a Look at Lee Bo's Case -- CY Leung's Statement

Have a Look at Lee Bo's Case -- CY Leung's Statement

Translated by Karen L., written by Post-90s Bullshit
Original: http://polymerhk.com/articles/2016/01/07/26327/

(Source: aTV News; CY Leung responding to Lee Bo's incident)

One by one, the employees and shareholders of Causeway Bay Books have gone missing. This includes Lee Bo who disappeared into thin air, for which the international world has shown their concern. The reason being that the books aim at the segment which is interested in dark secrets in China. It is suspected that the whole matter is CCP’s demonstration to violate “One Country, Two Systems” and interference against Hong Kong’s freedom of press.

Four days after Lee Bo went missing, CY Leung said that he will keep a close eye on the events, and indicated that law enforcement in Hong Kong can only be practiced by local officials, but not by officials from mainland China, otherwise it will be the violation of “One Country, Two Systems”.

Yes, CY Leung intended to emphasize that the “One Country, Two Systems” still stands, but nevertheless, from the experiences, such a statement symbolizes an alarm which we should be worried. It always turns out to be the opposite of what he says.

So far, it’s hardly to find examples to disprove this observation. Before the Handover, CY Leung once said that he thinks it’s wrong to send one’s children abroad for studies; but it is known to everyone that all three of his children have studied in England. He said that he himself is not a political material and that he will not run for the CE, but by the same token, he has become the CE now. What is more, in 1989, he expressed his discontent of the violent clearance against students at the Tiananmen Square. And you know the rest of the story.

Following the pattern, the more opposite you view of CY Leung’s “reassuring” statement, the closer it is to the truth. In the case of Lee Bo, CY Leung claimed that officials from mainland China have no authority to execute the law; perhaps, they have already been in Hong Kong lurking somewhere. It’s simply us being kept in the dark. As to whether CCP breaches “One Country, Two Systems”, I believe you've had the answer.

RW: The Evil of CCP Is But Condoned by the Chinese People

The Evil of CCP Is But Condoned by the Chinese People

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, edited by Karen L., written by Robin Wilde (Polymer HK) 
Original: http://polymerhk.com/articles/2015/05/01/15200/ 

(Image source: Progressive Today)

Recently, an article titled "Mainlanders Are Not To Blame, Communisty Party Is" was published on HKDash (a website founded by the Scholarism). The author Crystal Yip sees tainted food, human trafficking and education problem as responsibility solely for the Communist Party. Yip thought that Chinese people should be free from the blame due to the constant brainwash. Becoming one after another ignorant individuals and having the foggiest idea of the concept of freedom as a result of it, Chinese people, to Yip, are innocent.

From Yip's point of view, it seems obvious that she has been overestimating the prowess of CCP. Indeed there is brainwashing education in China. There is no doubt about it. But do note that China is no North Korea. People in China can get access to online information from the outside, though they are expected to encounter some blockages at first. By "climbing over the wall" (fanqiang), these "difficulties" can be got rid of right away. And when you look at the websites based in China, even the popular ones Weibo and Tianya Forum, you'll find as much in-depth grumbles and sarcasm from its people as in Hong Kong, or even more.

Chinese people may hold a grudge against the Party, while it's a different matter to go against it. In the Umbrella Revolution and Anti-Smugglers Movement involving HK-China conflicts, they tended to stay in the Party's side and addressed Hongkongers as "running dogs and slaves of foreigners" despite the fact that they whine about the Party at other times.

To some, such phenomenon is the after-effect of CCP's effort on rigging the public sentiment for nationalism. But then it also shows that Chinese people know what the Party does, whereas they choose to accept it and indulge it.

Some, similar to Yip, regard Chinese people as a bunch of benighted puppets. This misrepresentation reveals itself when tonnes of Chinese students rush into the US and Europe. They study aboard, but the end game is to get a job and permanent residence over there. However they support China on Facebook or Youtube, most of them will stick their feet overseas and few will return.

A decade after the 9/11 attack, Phoenix News interviewed a Chinese U-grad. He said he was happy to see the US "being bullied", and the ones who had done it are heroes. Shortly after the speech, he mentioned his love to America and his plan to be studying there. Speaking of his future, he, in front of the painting of Mao Zedong on Tian'anmen, said happily, "I will be staying there [in the US] as long as I can."

Often do Chinese behaviours go opposite direction with their minds. They may love their motherland, while their bodies follow one's animal instinct -- choosing the best proposal for oneself.

Crystal Yip says the CCP should be the only one to take the blame, for which I do feel the need to clarify -- Indeed CCP is certainly the cause of such problems, therefore a high proportion of responsibility is on the Party. But then I doubt its people can get rid of a share.

For tainted food, due to insufficient surveillance, the relevant authorities are to blame, but it is not the authorities which are in charge of producing it. A little girl was ran over by a car. No pedestrian helped. They are, if not all, ordinary people without CCP membership. There are uncountable fake goods and pirated CDs or books all over China. Some thus get extremely rich and most of them are simply commoners. Is it that fair to let Chinese people go free?

Chinese people are not as innocent as Crystal Yip assumed. On the contrary, they are smart, so smart that they gulp all the way they can by exploiting the loophole under the Communist rule -- and wait for a chance to leave the country behind. But before the day, they know staunchly to play safe. In a way, it is their gratefulness for years of advantages as a Chinese under the CCP's regime.

This situation now reminds me of a quote from V for Vendetta "How did this happen? Who's to blame? Certainly there are those who are more responsible than others. And they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror."

What kind of a nation would choose such a party in the first place? And it naturally leads to the second question: with this brutal governance, what provides its people the numbness to live with it for 66 years and to endure its brutality in the foreseeable future?

"Do not do to others what you don't want to be done to you" is one of the motto known by Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher. Abandoning one's born empathy, this nation go angry, tease or scold at Hongkongers' resistance against the tyranny which its people have been attempting to leave. 

Metaphorically, CCP is a monster raising by all people from mainland China. Fully grown, the monster does what it's nature provide and how it's taught. Retribution is it. Could these "victims" avoid the blame? Clearly not.

According to Crystal Yip, "Today, some people wish Hong Kong to be independent from China. I could not agree for a bit, because it is unbearable for one to see a lot of people suffering the suppression of the Communist Party." This is probably the lousiest excuse against Hong Kong independence movement that I've ever seen. Yip demonstrated an extreme case of empathy, forcibly rationalizing Hongkongers' suffering and "obligation" as a companion with Chinese people.

It makes one wonder if it ever occurs to Yip that the relationship between Chinese people and CCP is a form of sadomasochism. As pure outsiders, Hongkongers are not entitled to interfere. Most importantly, no Hongkongers are delighted to stay beside Chinese people and to suffer with them due to her impractical moral high ground.