Hong Kong’s New Year night of violence leaves Mong Kok in lockdown after street hawker crackdown descends into ugly street battles between police and protesters
Fires set and police vehicles damaged as police reply with pepper spray and batons after opening fire with ‘warning shots’
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 09 February, 2016, 1:37am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 09 February, 2016, 7:33am
Crowds gathered to protest police trying to remove street food hawkers. Photo: Chris Lau
One of Hong Kong’s busiest districts is in virtual lockdown this morning after a night of violence which saw the police open fire with two ‘’warning shots’’ as protesters launched missiles and set fires as a crackdown on illegal street food hawkers escalated into what some witnesses described as a ‘riot’.
Mong Kok, the scene of some of the worst unrest during the Occupy protests in 2014 , remains tense as unidentified protesters - a signficant number of them so-called ‘localists’ who campaign for varying degrees of independence for Hong Kong - launching sporadic brick and bottle attacks on police and the police responding with pepper spray. A number of fires are also reported to be burning in the area surrounding Shantung and Soy Streets and the government has advised motorists to steer clear of the area.
Crusade Yau Siu-kei, deputy Mong Kok district commander, confirmed this morning officers fired two warning shots during the “riot”.
“Radical elements have come with self-made weapons and shields and clashed with police,” Yau said. “The situation ran out of control and became a riot.”
He said the “mob” continued to throw bricks, rubbish bins and glass bottles at a close distance, resulting in many officers getting injured and their heads bloodied. Forty-four officers were injured, and some were in coma.
The two warning shots were fired by some officer—he did not specify one or how many—at 2am, Yau said. “Because many rioters were attacking police with hard objects and seriously threatened their lives, there was no choice but to protect colleagues” and own safety, he added.
Police do not rule out the riot was “organised”, he said, noting that vehicles were arranged by protesters to transport equipment. Police will continue the investigation.
So far, police said three people were injured and there had been three arrests for assaulting the police and obstruction.
In total, 23 men and one woman from the “riot” were arrested.
According to social media, among those arrested was Legislative Council election hopeful, Edward Leung Tin-kei, spokesman for localist group Hong Kong Indigenous. There were also unconfirmed reports that the new editor-in-chief of The Undergrad, a student magazine of the University of Hong Kong, was also arrested.
Early this morning at least one group of 100 protesters were engaged in skirmishes wit the police. Eye-witnesses said paving stones were being ripped up and some objects were being hurled at officers.
At 6am the police released a statement which said: “Police reiterate that any acts endangering public order and public safety will not be tolerated. The Hong Kong community regard that the public should express their views in a rational and peaceful manner. Police will take enforcement actions decisively on law-breaking behaviours.”
Trouble first flared shortly after 2am when what had begun as a protest by angry food hawkers in Portland Street who had been targeted in an crackdown by food and hygiene officials, spiralled out of control leading to the police firing two ‘warning shots’ into the air in a move that set off hours of clashes, closing roads and for a time, shutting down Mong Kok MTR station.
A TVB video showed the moment police drew guns on protesters and fired two warning shots into the air on Argyle Street around 2am. An SCMP reporter on the scene also witnessed and heard two shots fired from a gun.
She said protesters had become more radical because government forced the people to. For example, she said, the police made a scene out of a matter which was virtually hawkers selling fish ball on the street.
“Not only were baton and and pepper spray were used...police were firing gun shots,” she said.
She believed the relationship between police and the people had hit a new low.
A police source said: “Officers were under attack and a police officer fired two shots into the air’’ adding that protesters were “rioters” and trouble makers. Later, an officials statement from the police said officers had taken ‘’resolute action’’
Shortly before gunshots were fired, pallets and rocks were hurled at a team of traffic police officers. A senior constable was hit with a pallet, causing him to fall to the ground. He said he felt dizzy but some protestors continued charging him and hurled rocks at him.
The source added that protestors seemed prepared,being well equipped with home-made shields, goggles, helmets and gloves.
The “rioters”involved more than a hundred people and gathered at different points setting fire to rubbish bins in the streets, he said.
Both lanes on Nathan Road were blocked from south of Argyle Street. Police warned they would use “appropriate force” while asking and pushing people to move to the sidewalk.
With volleys of objects, notably bricks and other objects, injuries were likely sustained on both sides.
Protestors were also seen trying to push over a minibus stop to fall on the police.
Radical group, PassionTimes, posted a video to their Facebook page of police hitting a woman, causing bruising and bleeding.
The night’s violent clashes unfolded around 10pm on the first day of Chinese New year when police attempted to clear Portland Street as part of a city-wide clampdown on hawkers. The crowd reacted by throwing glass bottles and flower pots and police used pepper spray at one point.
The commotion broke out at about midnight early Tuesday when police put on protective gear, including helmets and shields, to fend off the unhappy crowd that flung objects at them. A standoff ensued.
Hong Kong Indigenous, a localist group that is fielding a candidate in a Legislative Council by-election in three weeks, is involved in the protest.
The candidate Edward Leung Tin-kei has been arrested, according to a Facebook post by the group at 2.16am.
Shortly after midnight-and about three hours after the chaos broke out, the group announced on Facebook that it would “exercise” Leung’s “power” as an election candidate to hold an election march in the Mong Kok night market. The group said they would not need to notify the police because the number of marchers would be less than 30.
It called on people to go out in support and bring along eye masks, face masks and protective gear.
In a police statement released at 3.23am, it “strongly condemned” the clashes in Mong Kok.
The night’s violent clashes unfolded around 10pm on the first day of Chinese New year when police attempted to clear Portland Street as part of a city-wide clampdown on hawkers. The crowd reacted by throwing glass bottles and flower pots and police used pepper spray at one point.
The police defended its handling of the chaotic scenes for which it took “resolute actions” including the deployment of batons, pepper spray to stop “unlawful violence acts.” However, it also failed to draw reference to the two warning gunshot fired earlier tonight.
An hour earlier, a police spokesman said they had “no information” on gunshots fired in Mong Kok at present.
In the police’s narrative of the chaotic scenes, it said protesters were causing “serious disturbances to public safety” and other road users prompting police intervention.
The police vowed “resolute enforcement actions will be taken against any illegal acts to preserve public order and safeguard public safety.”
The dispute escalated when police attempted to push a portable ladder towards the crowd, which appeared to perceive it as a threat of clearance.
Earlier, the police engaged in another standoff with the crowds as they tried to block a taxi that was passing through, in retaliation at the clearance of the vendors. Police came back later after a withdrawal.
“It was good in the beginning. I was chatting with the police,” said a man identified as Kam, who was hit with the spray. He declined to reveal his identity.
“They suddenly sprayed my face even though I told them I just wanted to go,” said Kam, who was stuck between the police and crowd at the time.
Another woman, Esther Yip Hoi-wan, from activist group 80s momentum, said her friends were arrested.
She said it was very dangerous for the police to carry out such operatives as there were hawkers’ trolley filled with hot food on the street.
Police spokesman Stephen Yu Wai-kit, assistant Mong Kok district commander, told reporters police stepped in after Food and Environmental Health officers were unable to handle the hawkers in Mong Kok.
He confirmed police had used pepper spray and said people in the crowd had thrown flower pots and glass bottles.
Three men, aged between 27 and 35, were arrested for assaulting police and obstructing them from carrying out their duties.
Meanwhile, three police officers were injured in the fracas.
tnaybulaclacFeb 9th 2016
7:33am
7:33am
I just rang back to confirm. This is definitely a pre-meditated riots. The usual 79 days of lawlessness people were there and with the rioters who are not licensed hawkers.The police should take resolute step to get to the bottom of it. The rule of law must prevail. No one is above the law. Hawkers who broke the law and were part of the rioting should have their license revoked.
johnnykongFeb 9th 2016
5:04am
5:04am
Bleaker, you (and the likes of you) are the reason why we do not yet have democracy in Hong Kong. Though the establishment isn't perfect, it certainly beats putting into power people who support violence and lawbreaking in the name of social injustice.
p90gundamFeb 9th 2016
4:52am
4:52am
these 3 reporters =chris lau, joyce ng, danny lee are clearly supporting HK indigenous radical group which is orchestrating riot in MK. this news report was biased, these 3 reporters even posted links and social media messages---- exclusively from "passion time" the publication/ mouth piece of HK indigenous group. this is not professional journalism, hope SCMP editorial will pay attention to this.
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
5:08am
5:08am
I was in the area after a gaming night with some friends, and I have to say this, from purely a pedestrian side. I wasn't there to witness any shooting, or people being pushed down, but what I can say is that on the protester side, there were rocks being thrown at police, and the "innocent bystanders" [not facing the police, but rather, beside them.behind them] were shouting against them (almost provokingly, but just barely).
I do not agree with the use of the two gun shots in the air, nor do I think pulling a gun as a 'threat' is a smart thing to do - in fact, a lot of the handling of this matter seems to be incredibly ill trained - but the crowd is far from innocent, and the 'bystanders', especially those with masks already prepared, are certainly not coincidentally there.
I smell something is amiss, in the sense that on the non-cop side, it seems from hawkers to this seems way out of proportion, and on the cop side, rather ill-trained...I mean, certainly, citizens can't be THIS aggressive and mad, and the cops can't be THIS stupid and incompetent, can they? I mean, I know friends of friends that are cops, and are decent people (although not part of riot control)....
I do not agree with the use of the two gun shots in the air, nor do I think pulling a gun as a 'threat' is a smart thing to do - in fact, a lot of the handling of this matter seems to be incredibly ill trained - but the crowd is far from innocent, and the 'bystanders', especially those with masks already prepared, are certainly not coincidentally there.
I smell something is amiss, in the sense that on the non-cop side, it seems from hawkers to this seems way out of proportion, and on the cop side, rather ill-trained...I mean, certainly, citizens can't be THIS aggressive and mad, and the cops can't be THIS stupid and incompetent, can they? I mean, I know friends of friends that are cops, and are decent people (although not part of riot control)....
p90gundamFeb 9th 2016
3:59am
in reply to: blue
3:59am
in reply to: blue
blue, u are so anti-police with ex-OCers mentality, and lost your objectivity. the more detailed report in other media describing a situation that the extremities of HK indigenous threw objects ( bricks etc) and 1 policeman fell onto ground. rioters dashed to attack this policeman, and his colleagues had to pull out gun to stop the mob. in OC period, a plainclothesman was attacked by mob even he was lying unconscious on ground. in USA, the mob would be shot.
blueFeb 9th 2016
4:06am
in reply to: p90gundam
4:06am
in reply to: p90gundam
@p90gundam Just recently almost everyone disliked your comment due to your nasty comments about the booksellers and your constant shoe shining and apologizing of the CCP. Seem you cut the CCP a lot of slack, but you have zero tolerance for anyone else's ability of free expression. Can you make it even more obvious what a complete paid shill you are? Also STOP talking about the USA. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Just because U.S. cops violate people's human rights, doesn't mean HK police should. How dense are you, and why do you keep repeating this same lame tired cliche over and over? Is it because you don't have any better ideas?
Enjoy your 50 cents wumao.
Just because U.S. cops violate people's human rights, doesn't mean HK police should. How dense are you, and why do you keep repeating this same lame tired cliche over and over? Is it because you don't have any better ideas?
Enjoy your 50 cents wumao.
pslhkFeb 9th 2016
4:51am
in reply to: blue
4:51am
in reply to: blue
"If HK were given genuine universal suffrage, nobody would be protesting"
-
Apparently blue is from a different universe
no USA where the occupy movement originated
No London riots
No riots in India that killed thousands
...
-
Apparently blue is from a different universe
no USA where the occupy movement originated
No London riots
No riots in India that killed thousands
...
andrew.shiu.9Feb 9th 2016
3:17am
3:17am
If they were unlicensed hawkers (which this article never clarified) then whats wrong with the police enforcing the law properly? They refused to listen to FEH officers, then ignored the verbal warnings given by the police so what do you expect? Is anyone going to come to their senses and realize that these unlicensed hawkers (the police would've left them alone if they had proper licenses) were the fire starters and the police were simply doing their job?
jamesbone001Feb 9th 2016
3:03am
3:03am
Quote
Another woman, Esther Yip Hoi-wan, from activist group 80s momentum, said her friends were arrested.
She said it was very dangerous for the police to carry out such operatives as there were hawkers’ trolley filled with hot food on the street.
Unquote
Good, Its time for Police to use small arm and shoot a few of these **** kids like this **** from activist group 80s momentum and those from Pan democrat ****.
Do not make arrest, just shoot them to hell by small arm or automatic weapon for the betterment of the future of Hong Kong without these **** kids, traitor and lackeys.
Another woman, Esther Yip Hoi-wan, from activist group 80s momentum, said her friends were arrested.
She said it was very dangerous for the police to carry out such operatives as there were hawkers’ trolley filled with hot food on the street.
Unquote
Good, Its time for Police to use small arm and shoot a few of these **** kids like this **** from activist group 80s momentum and those from Pan democrat ****.
Do not make arrest, just shoot them to hell by small arm or automatic weapon for the betterment of the future of Hong Kong without these **** kids, traitor and lackeys.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
2:32am
2:32am
Is that really wise, to pick a fight with a New Year crowd in the most densely crowded place on Earth? Could individual hawkers have been confronted, closed down, materiel confiscated without darning riot gear in a "US vs. THEM" confrontation, in MK of all places, with memories of OC clashes so fresh?
*()
Is this the new CCP security policy now, to confront everything by brute force, head down, shields locked, baton swinging? How long before the guns are drawn from the holsters? I see this as a very important milestone in the HKP adopting a hair trigger brute force stance. I believe the occasion was chosen on purpose with a big crowd on NY night to show HK People the muscle of the State, the Central Govt and its willingness to use it. This shows that the threshold to bringing out the PLA garrison has also lowered.
*()
Be careful HK. Zhang de Jiang has been given the GO to unleash the hounds. This is just the first of it. UK, please resupply HKP with non-leathal teargas canisters. The dual-purpose rounds made by China to PLA specs are intended as grenades plus smoke. Thailand found people with heads and limbs blown off during the Red v Yellow riots from using the Chinese rounds. There is a new policy in effect.
*()
Is this the new CCP security policy now, to confront everything by brute force, head down, shields locked, baton swinging? How long before the guns are drawn from the holsters? I see this as a very important milestone in the HKP adopting a hair trigger brute force stance. I believe the occasion was chosen on purpose with a big crowd on NY night to show HK People the muscle of the State, the Central Govt and its willingness to use it. This shows that the threshold to bringing out the PLA garrison has also lowered.
*()
Be careful HK. Zhang de Jiang has been given the GO to unleash the hounds. This is just the first of it. UK, please resupply HKP with non-leathal teargas canisters. The dual-purpose rounds made by China to PLA specs are intended as grenades plus smoke. Thailand found people with heads and limbs blown off during the Red v Yellow riots from using the Chinese rounds. There is a new policy in effect.
skypinglyFeb 9th 2016
6:52am
6:52am
This all started with OC, it is very consistent that whenever there is trouble, the minority of the university trouble making students are there. The majority just wants to get on with their study, be successful and make Hong Kong successful. I am sad that I have to pay taxes to support such trouble makers, none of them stands out as a brilliant student. Mediocre in their studies distinguished in their trouble making. Why should we support them in the university.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:02am
7:02am
It is clear now, at 6:12 AM, that both HKP and the instigators were preparing for a fight. The HKP targted a DC member of Younginstigators and arrested him by 00:20 AM, before things got too hot. Clearly, there should not have been that many bricks and rocks just laying around Mongkok, so these were staged by the Realinstigators. I was a protester at OC, but throwing bricks, rocks and glass bottles at cops is use of deadly force. Cops are HK people too. They have homes and families to go home to. I just hope that no cop is permanently maimed from a hit to the head tonight, just as I hope no civilians are maimed by baton boks to the head. Why are there so many head injuries from baton strikes? Are HKP training to aim for the head? Things have gotten much uglier than at OC. There is a viciousness to both sides which can only lead to deaths on both sides. People be aware, the HKP are only the end of an arm of the Central Govt Security apparatus. That is the bigger picture. See my posts from earlier tonight. CCP chose tonight to send a message: There's a new sheriff in town. "Unleash the hounds". If you people are going to fight, you cannot fight head-on against guns. When ppl throw rocks and bricks at cops, cops are justified to use deadly force in return. If their buddies are down, they will use whatever means they have to rescue them. I would, and if I have a gun, that becomes my 'whatever means' because I want my friends alive. Tai guo. Don't! HKP is NOT your enemy.
DILLIGAFFFeb 9th 2016
5:29am
5:29am
The cops should have taken the night off and left the streets to those who are oh-so intelligent. And I suppose the woman from "activist" group 80s momentum just happened to be passing after having dinner with her friends.
p90gundamFeb 9th 2016
6:01am
in reply to: blue
6:01am
in reply to: blue
blue: too bad, a $50 NED paid troll get hurt, when one points out about his loss of objectivity. What a mob attack on a fallen police officer has to do with CCP?? everyone knows mob rule like such will draw gunfire from US police officer. what this has to do with " 2 wrongs don't a right"?? too bad your $50 NED wumao's feeling is hurt whenever u see USA objectively mentioned or compared as reference.
woopFeb 9th 2016
3:28am
3:28am
Ok, unlicensed hawkers - death penalty. 50M dubious payment for CY - qualified for CE. By the way, those might not be unlicensed hawkers but legitimate licensed hawkers.
johnnykongFeb 9th 2016
4:04am
in reply to: woop
4:04am
in reply to: woop
Still does not justify the throwing of objects that obviously endanger the lives and safety of police officers and bystanders. Rioters broke the law. No amount of "social injustice" can justify these actions.
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
6:39am
6:39am
Saw a photo of what looks to be an attempted burning of a taxi....seriously, how does this help the hawkers in any way, let along anyone? (from NOW news)
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
6:32am
in reply to: Beaker
6:32am
in reply to: Beaker
Although there are some points I disagree with you, I will not address them because that is not the point, I rather point out what I agree with and would like to emphasize more.
The police are NOT the enemy (and yes, I like that you emphasize that they have homes and families too) - individual cops may be stupid and make mistakes and do wrong things, but that is not justification to do a wrong to THAT individual or cops as a whole - two wrongs don't make a right. If they are in the wrong, gather enough proof and show the world, don't do a wrong yourself. Furthermore, don't do a wrong that gives THEM the right to use what is in their right to protect that can be viewed as a right.
The police are NOT the enemy (and yes, I like that you emphasize that they have homes and families too) - individual cops may be stupid and make mistakes and do wrong things, but that is not justification to do a wrong to THAT individual or cops as a whole - two wrongs don't make a right. If they are in the wrong, gather enough proof and show the world, don't do a wrong yourself. Furthermore, don't do a wrong that gives THEM the right to use what is in their right to protect that can be viewed as a right.
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
6:35am
in reply to: DILLIGAFF
6:35am
in reply to: DILLIGAFF
To be honest, I agree...it's like a 'tradition' of HK that has been done yearly that, just for these 3 days, hawkers be allowed to make some New Year Money...I mean, they turn a blind eye to people parking illegally in Central, why not just for 3 days for Lunar New Years?
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:05am
in reply to: p90gundam
7:05am
in reply to: p90gundam
@P90, video sources are legitimate if they are videos of what actually happened. Your point of biased reporting could only be true if the sources had time to doctor or edit the videos to create falsehood. But, what I saw were videos of what really were happening. From them, I concluded what I posted above at 6:24 AM. Your post here is biased and tries to point out unfairness when there was none. You are a wumao.
blueFeb 9th 2016
3:53am
3:53am
"Bleaker, you (and the likes of you) are the reason why we do not yet have democracy in Hong Kong. Too stupid and irrational. Thought the establishment isn't perfect, it certainly beats people who support violence and lawbreaking in the name of some perceived social injustice that affect only the lazy (such as yourself). You simply can't be trusted with a vote or any voice, power or responsibility whatsoever. No amount of protesting, rioting or moaning will yield any change, because you do not have the support of the mass or the establishment, who pay for your pitiful lives. To seek a better life, you should just leave Hong Kong. Our GDP will probably improve and welfare responsibilities reduced. Everyone is happier."
@johnnykong You're completely delusional and projecting things onto protesters that simply aren't true. If HK were given genuine universal suffrage, nobody would be protesting. Hell I bet people wouldn't even be protesting over genuine universal suffrage if people had a decent quality of life, namely affordable public housing and decent wages. Wages have been stagnant for a decade. Singapore style public housing would have gone a long way to keep people quality, but nope this government would rather collude with big property developers and make rents go up to the breaking point. Greedy idiots
Why does it not surprise me that you're completely clueless? You come off as a guy who had everything handed to him on a sliver platter and never had any hardship.
@johnnykong You're completely delusional and projecting things onto protesters that simply aren't true. If HK were given genuine universal suffrage, nobody would be protesting. Hell I bet people wouldn't even be protesting over genuine universal suffrage if people had a decent quality of life, namely affordable public housing and decent wages. Wages have been stagnant for a decade. Singapore style public housing would have gone a long way to keep people quality, but nope this government would rather collude with big property developers and make rents go up to the breaking point. Greedy idiots
Why does it not surprise me that you're completely clueless? You come off as a guy who had everything handed to him on a sliver platter and never had any hardship.
blueFeb 9th 2016
3:45am
3:45am
I thought only cops in movies fired warning shots in the air. It's a dumb thing to do especially in a densely populated place like Mong Kok.
What goes up has to come down.
Also jamesbone001 you are a psychopath and need help.
What goes up has to come down.
Also jamesbone001 you are a psychopath and need help.
johnnykongFeb 9th 2016
3:42am
in reply to: jamesbone001
3:42am
in reply to: jamesbone001
No need. Protesters are shooting themselves in the foot. Public support will only diminish with each violent riot and irrational action. Anger on our side will rise, who will call for tougher measures against lawbreakers. A new equilibrium will form. Police will continue to show remarkable restraint, letting the extremists put on a big show. Eventually, they will be sidelined from society, left with no jobs and a life ahead with no hope. Some will dwindle into depression, some will have their resolve hardened. But their peers will learn the consequences and seek more effective ways to participate in the political process. So there is no need to shoot them. In fact, let them go crazy.
sipsip1238Feb 9th 2016
7:10am
7:10am
The "best and brightest" indeed! What do you expect when these are the same people who failed at everything else in life before becoming part of the police.
We've officially become just another slum of China.
We've officially become just another slum of China.
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
6:32am
in reply to: Beaker
6:32am
in reply to: Beaker
My name cam from a long, long time ago, from some insider jokes. If there is another poster by that name, I am completely unrelated to them.
captamzaiFeb 9th 2016
5:12am
in reply to: captamzai
5:12am
in reply to: captamzai
I'd like to add that - no matter how badly they acted, even if they resisted physically, unless that girl was physically bearing a weapon, hitting the head and making her bleed was really, really, really awful...and I HIGHLY doubt she hit the ground to make that injury, the angle doesn't make sense. Even if she did cause ruckus, by the time the police got to her (according to the video), she definitely was powerless. You don't treat violence with violence, two wrongs don't make a right. The baton is for hitting limbs, not the head.
pslhkFeb 9th 2016
4:46am
4:46am
A policeman fell
Lying still on the ground
Between charging mob
throwing and swinging debris
And retreating police
Then the gunshot
-
We have to thank the Hon G Ma CJ
For leading our most respectable judiciary
to make and administer copyrat justice
that protects troublemakers
who grace our community
with unparalleled CNY entertainment
so much more exciting than the parade
-
In the circumstances
What could troublemakers and the police learn
From last year’s occupy riots?
-
Perhaps we can’t blame responsible police commanders
for their failure to meet the public’s legitimate expectation
for good public order
Lying still on the ground
Between charging mob
throwing and swinging debris
And retreating police
Then the gunshot
-
We have to thank the Hon G Ma CJ
For leading our most respectable judiciary
to make and administer copyrat justice
that protects troublemakers
who grace our community
with unparalleled CNY entertainment
so much more exciting than the parade
-
In the circumstances
What could troublemakers and the police learn
From last year’s occupy riots?
-
Perhaps we can’t blame responsible police commanders
for their failure to meet the public’s legitimate expectation
for good public order
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
4:00am
in reply to: johnnykong
4:00am
in reply to: johnnykong
@johnnyk, what in my posts were you addressing? Where have I advocated rioting? It looks like you made up an argument to argue against. Go ahead, copy/paste my points which you believe you are debating me against. Put them in quotes. What, you think your parents had enough money to send you to school overseas and you can come here and make fun of other people's English? My English is pretty good too if I am at a keyboard and not using SCMP's shait app. What kind of tinpot thinking do you hold, which thinks that you need support of both the masses AND the establishment to get something done? When in history does the masses and the establishment align? Perhaps Lee KuanYew's Singapore? OTW, the masses will always differ from the establishment. I don't believe so much power and money should be given to the establishment. Clearly in HK and China, you can see what giving them that much power does. They devise ways to take more money and power. You think that is good for the world? I care about the kids growing up in HK. I've already left. You ****ant little tinpot.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
4:07am
in reply to: johnnykong
4:07am
in reply to: johnnykong
@johnnyk, who are this "WE" you talk about. I paid taxes in HK. I know the education given to poor kids who don't make it to ESL schools will prepare them for a life of hauling drinks to 7-11. Top notch healthcare. Do you know anything about how the 80% of those who depend on public hospitals live? Have you ever entered one? Perhaps even considered helping in one? What a little shait like you need is a few years in the villages in Anhui to show you what life is like for the unprivileged, to teach you a little modesty. Xi Jinping had his years in the communes. Then come back and talk to me about social injustices as if you have any inkling of what that means. I'm a bit rougher and tougher than you. Not so pretending to be genteel.
andrew.shiu.9Feb 9th 2016
3:35am
in reply to: woop
3:35am
in reply to: woop
If they were indeed licensed hawkers then I am happy to take back everything I've said. But if that was the case then why would the FEH officers and police try to get rid of them in the first place?
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:28am
in reply to: johnnykong
7:28am
in reply to: johnnykong
@johnnyk, I think you misjudge the anger that is already in HK. If you've kept up with the dialogues (not just between you and your kind) about the missing booksellers, then you might have some inkling of how upset people already are. It is a closed-loop feedback world you live in, so all you hear in an echo chamber are only people who grew up like you or hanging with Mainland dweebs who are sons and daughters of corrupt officials; how they made it to HK. Take off that suit, don a pair of shorts and T-shirt and take a walk away from your little insular world. Maybe that equilibrium you so confidently think about is much further to one side than you think. I am sure Marie Antoinette and the Tsar's family thought that equilibrium was much more to their side than it actually was. They died poorly, and not in bed. You keep that in mind, johnnyk. In your case, your private Gulfstream blows a tire while escaping HK on take-off, or funnier yet, upon landing. Either way, you burn to death screaming, hot hot hot, ahhh, hot pffffft.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
3:27am
in reply to: jamesbone001
3:27am
in reply to: jamesbone001
jamesbone, what about all the unintended people in the crowd? What about the people looking out their windows? What about the peoole eating and working behind glass windows at the restaurants? Do you know anything about the penetration power of a 10 mm round at 1400-1600 fps? You fkg moron. And, if it has to be a stray bullet that kills or maims someone, then let it hit your kid or someone you care about on a ricochet. Then I want you to feel how ignorant you are.
johnnykongFeb 9th 2016
4:00am
in reply to: Beaker
4:00am
in reply to: Beaker
I do agree that firing a gun into the air is probably not the smartest thing to do. There are many more forms of non-lethal riot control at their disposal. What strikes me as incredibly interesting is your repeated use of wumao as a comeback. It's like your only defense. But the funny thing is, being on the yellow side, it is far more likely that you desperately need money, than it is for those on our side. You are angry and bitter about high rents, bad jobs and having no voice. But if you were successful, rents would be acceptable, jobs would be high paying, your voice will be heard and you would be blue. So... perhaps more schooling is needed for you.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:12am
7:12am
Good, I've caused little johnnykong to cut two of his posts down to 20% from their original lengths. I guess he thought his EDUCATION entitled him to post things which others will not challenge him. Well, I did challenge him, and he retreated; 2x. This just goes to show: Education, especially when getting into named schools involved mommy and daddy's purse and not grades, is no substitute for natural aptitude, proper upbringing where I had to earn my keep, plus a great education.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:16am
in reply to: horsetimeswa@******
7:16am
in reply to: horsetimeswa@******
@horsetime, sir, you are beginning to see my POV all along: We are not dealing with the HK Government. We are dealing all along with the Central Govt of China. The latest episode whereby the CE and all levels of security forces in HK cannot get a decent reply from China is my proof. Your observations above basically arrived at the same conclusion.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
6:12am
in reply to: captamzai
6:12am
in reply to: captamzai
@captamzai, I agreed with you on both posts. I just cannot imagine you came from the loins of Captam, the poster, if that was the case.
andrew.shiu.9Feb 9th 2016
3:22am
in reply to: jamesbone001
3:22am
in reply to: jamesbone001
I'm totally with you mate but shooting them is a little extreme, just throw them into jail like any other criminals will do.
SeiMaiSeiFeb 9th 2016
5:38am
in reply to: Beaker
5:38am
in reply to: Beaker
And, of course, this kind of thing never happened when the British were in charge. Yeah, right.
andrew.shiu.9Feb 9th 2016
3:29am
in reply to: Beaker
3:29am
in reply to: Beaker
None of this would have happened if the hawkers had left the scene as soon as they were approached by the FEH officers but they just had to escalate everything and force the police into using moderate force.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
3:36am
in reply to: andrew.shiu.9
3:36am
in reply to: andrew.shiu.9
Andrewshui, you do know, bullets fired upwards must come down. During NYE celebration, 20-35 Filippinos die each year from celebratory gunfire hitting them on the way down. Someone in Kwuntong watching a movie might be dead from a mysterious gunshot right now. I advise you to not follow that other idiot jamesbone advocating shooting people. I am sure non hawkers are using the hawkers as an excuse to cause riots. Don't be so shortsighted as you post. Go on to school, learn a trade. Wumaoing for a living is not what you want.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
6:57am
in reply to: johnnykong
6:57am
in reply to: johnnykong
@johnnyk, unlike you, I happen to know who the wumaii are in this crowd. I'm just more intelligent than you and armed with much better dirt under my fingers. I earned what I have. How about you? I look out for the kids' futures. I am the least money grubbing person I know, because I really do believe in what Jesus said for me to do. Despite that, I lived quite comfortably in HK and now even better with a raise and a promotion where I work. You actually can see my work around, but you have no idea what I do. Just say that I can insist not to be transferred to China and can demand being sent to SG because my company values me. If I'm going to live in a totalitarian regime, it might as well be in a benevolent totalitarian regime. Don't think for one moment you can out think me, you little tw*t. Your education only bought you up to graduation. Then, I guess for you, it is mommy and daddy's guanxi, right? I've got you figured out, johnnyk. Imagine they are taken out of the equation. Then, where will you be?
clsaclsaFeb 9th 2016
7:24am
7:24am
This is bias reporting at its worst! How can a report written entirely from one point of view- from passion times no less? It would just be like writing an event entirely quoting the Global Times?!
horsetimeswa@******Feb 9th 2016
7:07am
7:07am
sk me any question about what is happening in hong kong.
I am new to here , i will try to explain anything I can
Sorry for my poor english
Timeline
http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/02-09-2016/28642
==
My opinion:
1. What spark out the event is not important.
2. What important is how disappointed ppl to hk government.
3. There are a **** ton of reason why ppl hate the gov.
4. the ppl behavior is the most aggresive among 20 years. It means they understand that the gov is a **** and peaceful nigotiation wont work
I am new to here , i will try to explain anything I can
Sorry for my poor english
Timeline
http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/02-09-2016/28642
==
My opinion:
1. What spark out the event is not important.
2. What important is how disappointed ppl to hk government.
3. There are a **** ton of reason why ppl hate the gov.
4. the ppl behavior is the most aggresive among 20 years. It means they understand that the gov is a **** and peaceful nigotiation wont work
horsetimeswa@******Feb 9th 2016
7:12am
in reply to: captamzai
7:12am
in reply to: captamzai
A
sk me any question about what is happening in hong kong.
I am new to here , i will try to explain anything I can
Sorry for my poor english
Timeline
http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/02-09-2016/28642
==
My opinion:
1. What spark out the event is not important.
2. What important is how disappointed ppl to hk government.
3. There are a **** ton of reason why ppl hate the gov.
4. the ppl behavior is the most aggresive among 20 years. It means they understand that the gov is a **** and peaceful nigotiation wont work
sk me any question about what is happening in hong kong.
I am new to here , i will try to explain anything I can
Sorry for my poor english
Timeline
http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/02-09-2016/28642
==
My opinion:
1. What spark out the event is not important.
2. What important is how disappointed ppl to hk government.
3. There are a **** ton of reason why ppl hate the gov.
4. the ppl behavior is the most aggresive among 20 years. It means they understand that the gov is a **** and peaceful nigotiation wont work
LunarRepublicFeb 9th 2016
3:45am
3:45am
Well, if this isn't a most pleastant omen for future events this new year, I don't know what it is.
Still, I'd wait for more information on what happened, even if everything seems obvious. But I'd really like to know who gave the police the order to do what they did.
Still, I'd wait for more information on what happened, even if everything seems obvious. But I'd really like to know who gave the police the order to do what they did.
BeakerFeb 9th 2016
7:24am
in reply to: johnnykong
7:24am
in reply to: johnnykong
@johnnykong, What? Where is the other 80% of your post about how fair HK's education and healthcare systems are that (as you mentioned) 'we' paid for? Now, you just cower behind protection of the cops, which I also advocate? We all love grandma and steamed buns. It was the other ignorant comments you had in your other 80% of your posts which made you the out of touch plick which you are.
Comments