Last Friday afternoon, Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, hosted an online video conference with business leaders from various sectors, stressing that in the fight against the pandemic, the most precious element is confidence, the most important quality is unity, and what’s needed the most is action. Indeed, the anti-pandemic experience over the past two years is a good lesson for all of us, proving that action is the only way to effectively deal with COVID-19, and the “living with the virus” approach is not an option for Hong Kong, at least for now, because it could result in catastrophic consequences for Hong Kong, given its current conditions, including a very high population density, an extremely low vaccination rate among the elderly and an overstretched public healthcare system.
The fifth wave of outbreak has put Hong Kong in a dire situation where no one can afford to sit on their hands, or just prattle on. Only actions will bring about results. And it is time for all members of Hong Kong society to demonstrate our love for our home city through concrete actions. It was encouraging to hear from Friday’s online video conference that Hong Kong society had finalized 16 measures to support the special administrative region government in battling the pandemic. Those swift actions came after President Xi Jinping issued instructions, urging a concerted effort to contain the fifth wave of outbreak in Hong Kong.
Failure to contain the spread of the virus will not only cost more human lives, but also take a heavy toll on Hong Kong’s economy and its global competitiveness
At the critical moment when the pandemic situation in Hong Kong was spinning out of control, President Xi stepped in with crucial instructions on the SAR’s fight against COVID-19, emphasizing that reining in the outbreak should be the top priority for the SAR government, which should mobilize all manpower and resources and introduce necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of Hong Kong residents, as well as the social stability of the city. His words demonstrate not only his concern for the people of Hong Kong, but also the central government’s awareness of the city’s current predicament, and the all-out support of the central authorities and local governments in the Chinese mainland.
Xi’s instructions have no doubt given Hong Kong clear guidance on the course of action. “Top priority” means everyone should make way for reining in the outbreak; no individual or organization can obstruct, distract from or delay the anti-pandemic efforts on any grounds. “Mobilize all manpower and resources” means the SAR government must marshal all human and material resources to contain the raging pandemic. “Introduce necessary measures” means the administration has to think outside the box and determinedly employ extraordinary measures fit for extraordinary times in order to remove all obstacles that can hinder anti-pandemic efforts. Therefore, the decision to postpone the election for the chief executive is a reasonable and necessary response to the worsening health threat.
It goes without saying that the SAR government should use all the power vested in it by the Basic Law and other legal provisions to expedite its anti-pandemic work by doing away with all kinds of obstacles. For example, precluding the LeaveHomeSafe app from adding a contact tracking function is no longer a valid privacy concern, as the government has the right to invoke the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to formulate policies that can quickly identify carriers. The Legislative Council, as an integral part of Hong Kong’s governance establishment, shall also play a significant role in this battle, focusing its attention on cooperating and collaborating with the executive branch in all anti-pandemic efforts, including enacting legislation on all necessary anti-pandemic measures. Meanwhile, Hong Kong society and the general public must also pull their weight and contribute their share, be it monetary resources or manpower, in the fight against the formidable virus.
It is good news that Hong Kong society, including mainland enterprises operating in Hong Kong, has responded positively to Xi’s anti-pandemic instructions by initially coming up with 16 anti-pandemic measures as revealed on Friday’s online video conference. They include measures to ensure sufficient capacity for viral testing, vaccination, construction of isolation facilities, transportation of infected patients, supply of various resources, anti-pandemic publicity campaign, etc. Some of these initiatives have already been implemented, whereas others are in the pipeline. A concerted effort is materializing thanks to the responsiveness of all quarters of the community.
Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them. It is the perfect moment to find out who genuinely cares for Hong Kong — by judging by actions rather than words. Just a few days ago, subversives saw an opportunity to, once again, make mischief. Not only did they besmirch Hong Kong’s current anti-pandemic efforts, but also intentionally twisted the goodwill of the central government with their usual politicization shenanigans. A handful of criminals even deliberately damaged vaccination sites in the name of human rights and freedom. They, together with the incendiary alarmists who play into the hands of external anti-China forces, are the public enemy of all Hong Kong residents.
They are oblivious to the fact that the most significant human rights amid the raging COVID-19 outbreak are the right to health, the right to safety and the right to life, and no individual freedom shall take precedence over the public’s right to freedom from being victimized by COVID-19. In other words, neutralizing the public health threat is the overriding human right and freedom at this point.
In recent days, the sudden surge in COVID-19 infections, the passing away of vulnerable individuals and the patients braving the cold wind outside public hospitals are heartbreaking scenes that remind us: Hong Kong must carry on the fight relentlessly. The so-called “living with the virus” approach is not an option for Hong Kong, given its actual situation.
Failure to contain the spread of the virus will not only cost more human lives, but also take a heavy toll on Hong Kong’s economy and its global competitiveness. The city will sink into a quagmire of economic slump that no one can bear. Furthermore, a blunder like this will not gain the sympathy of the West, but will attract derision for the central government and the SAR government.
For a long time, Hong Kong has been beset with ill vibes, while some indulge in pontification and finding fault with the establishment, some look up to the West without fail as if the pasture is always greener on the other side. This manifests the lack of a holistic vision as well as a sense of responsibility on their part. Right now in the face of a daunting pathogenic enemy, we must muster courage and strength, unite all possible forces and forge a “wartime mentality” over the pandemic. We must plan our counterattacks and end this “war” as quickly as possible.
The author is a Hong Kong member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.