Chinese state-run media yesterday declared the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement “defeated,” warning domestic and foreign “hostile forces” against destabilizing the territory.
“The defeat of the Umbrella revolution has also sent a clear message to hostile forces — both local and overseas,” the state-run China Daily said in an editorial.
“On matters of principle, the central government will never make any concessions ,” the newspaper said.
“And in a free and prosperous civil society such as Hong Kong, there is simply no soil for political schemers to advance their agenda,” it added.
STREETS CLEARED
The editorial — titled “’Umbrella revolution’ defeated” — was published a day after police in the territory cleared tents and barricades that were used in more than two months of pro-democracy rallies calling for fully free leadership elections.
The movement has long been derided by Chinese state media, who claim it lacks local support and is backed by outside forces opposed to China’s rise.
‘GREAT DAMAGE’
The China Daily lamented the “great damage” caused by the protests.
However, it said that one positive had come out of the protest movement — “the ‘one country, two systems’ principle [was] straightened out.”
“By now, Hong Kong people know better that the ‘high level of autonomy’ doesn’t mean full autonomy,” the editorial said.
Meanwhile the Global Times warned of the dangers of “street politics” in an editorial it ran focused on the Hong Kong issue.
‘STREET VIOLENCE’
“Street politics can easily ravage a society and are addictive to some members of the public,” the newspaper said.
“We firmly oppose the notion that society can be overhauled through street violence,” it said. “This is a key political principle.”
The demonstrators were calling for fully free elections for the territory’s leader in 2017.
However, Beijing has insisted a committee vet the candidates, which protesters say would ensure the selection of a pro-China chief executive.
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