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Shades Off | Hong Kong is a city of duelling narratives, but deep down we know the truth
- Beijing supporters say destructive elements of society have been removed. Pro-democracy voices claim dissent has been outlawed by an unresponsive government
- The government calls it a restoration of stability but, to many foreign commentators, Hong Kong is now a police state
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
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Anyone following Chinese and Western media knows there are two Hong Kongs. The former says that, with the city now being ruled by patriots, stability and good governance are guaranteed, along with protection of rights and prosperity.
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From the other side, the narratives are of doom and gloom, freedoms having been all but stripped away and the good times being over. Here at ground zero on the 25th anniversary of the end of British colonial rule and the return to the motherland, it is difficult to know which is the correct version.
For me, there should be no confusion. After 42 years in journalism, I should have a good grasp of what is right and wrong. My work involves researching, checking facts and reporting truthfully. It has stood me well as I have never been out of a job.
So, when I read and hear two vastly different accounts of the same event, the natural assumption is that one is not true. What I consider the landmark event of the past quarter of a century, the anti-government protests of 2019, is an obvious example.
Having spoken to people who took part in the mass protests on Hong Kong Island, I know they were citizens who loved the city they lived in and wanted to see it improve and thrive through better governance.
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Pro-Beijing media and officials have a different narrative, though. They see foreign forces being behind the demonstrations, handing out cash and incentives to the protesters and supplying them with weapons. Meanwhile, anti-Beijing forces worked from within the government to undermine and derail the system.
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