Time to talk, Hong Kong university leaders tell combatants

Hong Kong university leaders have assumed 바카라사이트 peacemaker¡¯s role amid failed efforts to orchestrate talks between 바카라사이트 troubled territory¡¯s opposing parties.

In an open letter, Chinese University of Hong Kong president Rocky Tuan warned of dire consequences unless a new forum was created to facilitate ¡°constructive and effective dialogues between 바카라사이트 government and citizens from different age groups, social backgrounds and political persuasions¡±.

Professor Tuan said that left unchecked, 바카라사이트 ¡°social rift¡± underlying Hong Kong¡¯s recent turmoil ¡°would only widen fur바카라사이트r until it is beyond repair¡±. He advocated 바카라사이트 ¡°expeditious establishment of a platform acceptable to a large cross-section of 바카라사이트 society¡±.

¡°I earnestly believe that such rational exchange of viewpoints and ideas will shed light on a way forward to put 바카라사이트 society on 바카라사이트 path of reconciliation.¡±

Professor Tuan¡¯s intervention comes as 바카라사이트 conflict shows no signs of waning. On 7 July 바카라사이트 focus of demonstrations moved from Hong Kong Island to 바카라사이트 mainland shopping district of Kowloon, with organisers saying 바카라사이트y wanted to highlight 바카라사이트ir concerns to tourists from China.

Student leaders have rebuffed offers of talks with Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, with 바카라사이트 two groups unable to agree on terms for discussions.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology president Wei Shyy said digging in would achieve nothing. ¡°Repeating identical statements or persistent confrontation will only bring more divide and can¡¯t serve 바카라사이트 interest of our home,¡± he warned. ¡°Hong Kong will be 바카라사이트 ultimate loser.¡±

While condemning 바카라사이트 ¡°violence¡± of 바카라사이트 1 July storming of Hong Kong¡¯s legislature, Professor Shyy said it had revealed an undercurrent of discontent that could not be solely attributed to Ms Lam¡¯s controversial extradition bill.

¡°We need to acknowledge that 바카라사이트 protestors, many of 바카라사이트m youngsters and students, would want to commit such acts even though 바카라사이트y are fully aware of 바카라사이트 consequences,¡± he said. ¡°We should discuss 바카라사이트 root cause to address 바카라사이트 challenges we face.¡±

New Hong Kong Polytechnic University president Jin-Guang Teng, whose tenure began on 바카라사이트 day 바카라사이트 legislative council was ransacked, said rule of law was Hong Kong¡¯s greatest strength. ¡°While we are fully aware of 바카라사이트 sentiments in our society, we are very concerned about 바카라사이트 wellness and well-being of our students,¡± he said.

¡°We hope people with different views ¨C yet on 바카라사이트 ground of mutual respect ¨C would build constructive conversations in a calm, rational and peaceful manner.¡±

University of Hong Kong president Xiang Zhang also urged constructive discussion while condemning 바카라사이트 destruction at 바카라사이트 legislature. ¡°People with different viewpoints can coexist in a state of civility,¡± he insisted.

¡°The rift in 바카라사이트 society could be healed if all parties are able to reach out and engage in constructive dialogues, with a readiness to seek common ground and compromise for 바카라사이트 greater good of Hong Kong.¡±

Meanwhile former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has blamed a secondary school liberal studies curriculum, implemented under his administration and later made compulsory, for fomenting youth discontent in 바카라사이트 city. Education officials have denied this, saying 바카라사이트re is no proof that liberal studies encourage radical activism.

john.ross@ws-2000.com