Jump to content

Hong Kong mourns late queen in quiet snub to Beijing


Yamato

Recommended Posts

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Hong-Kong-mourns-late-queen-in-quiet-snub-to-Beijing?utm_campaign=GL_one_time&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=3&pub_date=20220918093000&seq_num=23&si=44594

 

Hong Kong mourns late queen in quiet snub to Beijing
Tributes seen by some as a dig at Chinese clampdown on former colony's freedoms

img%5D

A woman cries as she pays tribute to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II outside the British Consulate General in Hong Kong on Sept. 12.   © Reuters
PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 13, 2022 19:49 JSTUpdated on September 14, 2022 10:28 JST

 

HONG KONG -- Thousands in Hong Kong braved sweltering heat to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II in a tribute seen by some as a quiet snub to Beijing's squeeze on civil liberties in the former British colony.

 

Carrying flower bouquets and standing in lines that snaked hundreds of meters from the British consulate on Monday, many expressed feelings of nostalgia for the city's past as they signed a condolence book and paid their respects to a monarch known among older generations locally as the "boss lady."

 

More than 2,500 people signed the book while veteran pro-Beijing legislator Regina Ip and Chief Secretary Eric Chan, the city's second-in-command, stopped by the consulate -- the only politicians known to have attended the memorial site.

 

The British Consulate said Tuesday that it would extend opening hours for people to sign the condolence book in what it described as an "exceptional number" of visitors keen to pay their respects.

 

Hong Kong was a British colony for more than 150 years and many pro-democracy activists -- some now in jail under Beijing's draconian national security law -- used to protest against colonial rule.

 

But since the city was handed back to China in 1997, resentment has grown as the central government tightened its grip on the city, effectively criminalizing freedom of speech and other civil liberties passed on and guaranteed after British rule.

 

"Most Hong Kongers realize that they're under no illusion that Britain was not a perfect colonial master," Hong Kong lawyer and pro-democracy activist Kevin Yam told Nikkei Asia from his home in Australia. "Under the British, we were second class citizens, but under China we are not even citizens."

 

A local television interview with one mourner was scrubbed after the woman said she wanted to pay her respects to the 96-year-old "great leader."

 

"I want to commemorate this great leader. Why?" she said. "Look at how many people are here, this is what the people want."

 

img%5D

A woman holds the colonial flag of Hong Kong as she and other mourners pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside the city's British Consulate General.   © Reuters

 

On Friday, Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee released a statement, two hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping's condolences were published, but he avoided any reference to British colonial rule.

 

"Having reigned for 70 years, she was the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. She was greatly respected, admired and praised by the British people," he said.

 

In recent years, pro-Beijing officials have moved to wipe away the city's past by covering up British royal insignia and ordering a new crop of school textbooks that claim Hong Kong was never a colony at all, but rather an "occupied territory" in an apparent bid to claim China's unbroken sovereignty.

 

The queen, who died Thursday, was head of state in Hong Kong for 45 years and was the only reigning sovereign to visit the city. Images of her two trips were widely shared when her passing was announced.

 

City democracy activists who fled overseas paid tribute to the queen online, including former legislators Nathan Law and Dennis Kwok.

 

Lining up on Monday, one 62-year-old woman said she was filled with emotion when she heard about the queen's death and reminisced about the city's values and freedoms.

 

"She was very respected by many and represents what we've lost here," said the woman, surnamed Chow.

 

Maggie, who only gave her first name, brought her toddlers so they could learn about the late monarch's role in the city's past.

 

"It's very sad, but it's important for them to learn about our history," said the mother of two.
 

Edited by Yamato
  • Like 1
  • Wahaha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Londonchocolateroll said:

Show respect? Sure

 

Mourn? For what?

 

What did the Queen do for you that you need to mourn for her? She paid for your mortage or your children's education?

this happens in Singapore also ma. many KGKs go mourn someone but in turn kena fuck backside by his son now. 

  • Like 1
  • Wahaha 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Mugentech.net uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using this site you agree to Privacy Policy