HKMAO reposts article rejecting ‘security is enough’ line
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
China’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office reposted on Thursday, August 20, a signed Ta Kung Pao commentary by “Gong Zhi Ping” titled “Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to order and from order to prosperity is a coherent and unified process — a series on using high-level security to safeguard high-quality development in Hong Kong.” The commentary argued that security and development are inseparable, comparing them to a bird’s two wings or a cart’s two wheels, and rejecting the view that Hong Kong has done enough on national security and should now focus only on economic growth. It also strongly endorsed the Hong Kong government’s work, saying security and development have been advanced in parallel rather than in sequence.
Key Points
- The commentary opened by citing recent discussions among “insightful people” in Hong Kong over claims that national security work is largely complete and development should now take priority.
- It said Hong Kong’s path from “chaos to order” and then to “order to prosperity” forms one historical whole centered on coordinating development and security.
- Using the metaphor of two wings and two wheels, the article said one side may carry more weight at times, but neither can stop.
- It argued the 2019 anti-extradition bill unrest showed that without security there can be no development, and credited Beijing’s interventions with reversing the turmoil.
- The piece said the Hong Kong government never shelved development, citing 14 consecutive quarters of GDP growth and gains in talent and business attraction.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the reposting by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office elevates the commentary from a newspaper opinion piece to a message widely seen as aligned with Beijing’s policy stance. It also reinforces official backing for the current governing approach in which national security work and economic policy are expected to move forward together, not as alternatives.