Rule of Law and Rationality: the common will of the Hong Kong people

--By H.E. Yi Xianliang, Chinese Ambassador to Norway

　　2019年8月19日，驻挪威大使易先良在挪发行量最大的报纸之一《晚邮报》发表题为《法治与理性：香港民心所向》的署名文章，介绍香港极端暴力行为的真相，阐述对香港局势的看法。全文如下：

　　近期，在中国香港围绕特别行政区政府修订《逃犯条例》和《刑事事宜相互法律协助条例》，发生了一系列游行示威活动和暴力事件，引起各方广泛关注。香港局势到底如何，我愿向大家介绍一些情况和看法。

Recently, a string of protests and violent incidents dominated the news of Hong Kong after the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) tried to discuss the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. The situation and its development have drawn widespread attention from various sides, including Norwegian friends. Eyes of concerns are most on the picture of TV. What is the actual situation in Hong Kong and its possible development? I'd like to introduce some facts for Norwegian people for clarifying the doubts or misunderstandings.

　　香港特区政府修例意在堵住法律漏洞，将一桩恶性杀人案件的凶犯绳之以法。这样一项旨在伸张正义的正常修例议程，却被部分人用来煽动民意，在香港社会制造混乱。6月15日，特区政府宣布暂停修例，正是为了更充分地倾听民意。但一些别有用心的人仍不罢休，继续在香港制造骚乱。

The purpose of the proposed amendment to the two ordinances is to plug the legal loopholes exposed by a gruesome homicide case, in which the Taiwanese authorities were unable to prosecute a Hong Kong resident accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwai before fleeing back to Hong Kong. However, such a normal legal agenda aimed at upholding justice has been used by some people to incite public opinion and create chaos in Hong Kong. On June 15th, the HKSAR government announced the decision of suspending the amendment, in order to solicit more opinions from the public. Yet, some people with ulterior motives couldn't accept such an early stop and continued to create chaos in Hong Kong.

　　7月1日，在纪念香港回归祖国22周年的喜庆日子里，极端激进分子暴力冲击立法会大楼，撕毁香港基本法，涂污香港特区区徽。

　　7月14日，激进分子挑起与警方的对峙并暴力袭警，用有毒液体和粉末攻击执法警察，咬断警员手指，甚至网络人肉搜索并公布警察家人信息，恶毒咒骂警察子女。

　　7月21日，激进分子围堵香港中联办大楼，污损中华人民共和国国徽，喷写侮辱国家和民族的字句。警方还在突击检查中查获了大量烈性炸药。

On July 1st, the day on which the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland was being celebrated, radical protesters stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council building, tore up the copies of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and smeared the emblem of the HKSAR.

On July 14th, radical protesters attacked the police with corrosive liquids and toxic powders, even had one policeman's finger bitten off. Some went further to human flesh search and publish the policemen's family information online, and viciously cursed their dependents online.

On July 21st, radical protesters blocked the Liaison Office of China's Central Government in the HKSAR, defaced the national emblem and painted words insulting the country and nation. The police found a large amount of explosives intended for use in the violent demonstrations during search operations.

　　8月3日，激进分子两次从香港尖沙咀的旗杆上拆下国旗，扔入大海。

　　8月5日，激进分子鼓动罢工，甚至强迫普通市民停工，强行阻挠地铁开动，堵塞数条交通干线。

　　8月11日，暴徒在多地向警察投掷汽油弹和强激光照射警员，至少一名警员被严重烧伤。

On August 3rd, radical protesters removed the Chinese national flags from a flagpole in Tsim Sha Tsui and later flung the flag into the sea.

On August 5th, radical protesters began to agitate strikes. To prevent the ordinary citizens from getting to work, they even obstruct the automatic subway train doors from closing to stop the departure and blocked several other traffic arteries.

On August 11th, some rioters hurled petrol bombs and aiming high-power laser guns at police officers in various places. At least one police officer was hit and suffered burns in his legs.