Hong Kong legislators voted on wednesday against the democracy reform proposals. The result: 34 for and 24 against (40 votes are needed from the chamber of 60 for constitutional reform packages to pass). In reaction to the defeat, chief executive Donald Tsang warns that mutual trust between Hong Kong and Mainland lawmakers will suffer. From the SCMP:
“This is a major issue. You cannot say, `oh it’s game over, let’s do it again’. This is not on.”
Mr Tsang believed the olive branches extended by Beijing in recent months – such as inviting all lawmakers to visit the mainland – would not be forthcoming again in the near future.
“You cannot bully people and not expect them to get angry.”
Wait… who’s bullying who here?
“The outcome cannot be swept aside as if it has never happened. It’s not child’s play”.
I can say for sure that the outcome will not be swept aside – the democrats certainly have no desire to do that. They will, of course, continue to fight for a fair solution to electoral reform. And why Donald would even hint at the suggestion elections are child’s play is beyond me – the problem in Hong Kong is that the government thinks the electorate are children.
Granted, a certain portion of the people do act childish at times – but sometimes I question whether the real toddlers are the electorate or the government.
