Alliance for Peace and Democracy (Hong Kong) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alliance for Peace and Democracy (Chinese: 保普選反佔中大聯盟, literally The Pro-Universal Suffrage and Anti-Occupy Central Alliance) is a pro-Beijing[4][5] political grouping in Hong Kong.[6] It was founded on 3 July 2014 by numerous members of the pro-Beijing alliance including 40 pro-Beijing groups and scholars,[5] many of whom are also members of the pro-Beijing group Silent Majority for Hong Kong, and was backed by the pro-Beijing Parties Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and The New People's Party.[7]

The Alliance was established to counter the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement,[4][7] and it received widespread media attention when it launched a month-long signature campaign for people who oppose the Occupy Central Movement, which lasted from 19 July to 17 August 2014.[4][8] It is a controversial because of its use of confrontational tactics, its propagandising, renting crowds to attend its rallies,[2] as well as conducting campaigns of dubious legality, against Hong Kong suffragists and pan-democrats.[9] The campaign claimed it had collected over a million signatures supporting the campaign,[10] although questions are raised over credibility of the number of signatures collected.[11]

Signature campaign[edit]

On 19 July 2014,[5] the Alliance launched a signature campaign for "people who support democracy and universal suffrage, but oppose violence and the Occupy Central Movement" (Chinese: 「保和平、保普選,反暴力、反佔中」簽名行動). According to the Alliance's spokesman Robert Chow, the Alliance aims to collect at least 800,000 signature, likely an attempt to top the nearly 790,000 votes cast in Occupy Central's unofficial referendum held in June 2014.[12] On 2 August 2014, the Alliance further launched an online platform to collect signatures from people who oppose Occupy Central's campaign.[13]

Official endorsements include chief executive CY Leung and other top Hong Kong officials, including Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam, Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So and Secretary for Development Paul Chan.[10][14][15][16] The Alliance claimed it had collected over 1,500,000 signatures at the end of the campaign.[17][16]

Controversies[edit]

Numerous media and individuals, especially those from the pro-democracy camp, have questioned the credibility of the signature campaign.[11] They have noted that no measures were put in place to prevent repeated signatures in the campaign,[18] as people who sign will be asked for only the letter and first four digits of their HKID cards.[11] According to the Wall Street Journal and South China Morning Post, employees faced pressure to sign petition forms that were being circulated by department heads in some companies, including Town Gas, a major public utility.[19][20]

"Run for Peace and Democracy"[edit]

The Alliance held a 3.2-km "Run for Peace and Democracy" as a prelude to the Anti-"Occupy Central" Parade.[21] from Victoria Park to the Chater Road in Central.[1] The alliance called for 10,000 people to take part in fun run,[3] However, it is reported on 17 August that only "hundreds of people" took part in the race.[22] The organisers claimed 1,500 participants, while police estimated 880.[23]

Anti-"Occupy Central" parade[edit]

Culminating their petition campaign, the Alliance held an anti-"Occupy Central" parade on 17 August 2014, where participants will be able to dedicate kapok flowers at Chater Garden or Statue Square to show their discontent towards the Occupy Central Movement, their desire for peace in Central as well as their support for universal suffrage. The alliance declared that over 320 organisations and groups had pledged to join the rallies, and they expected a turnout of 50,000 to 60,000.[24]

The Alliance initially estimated that 193,000 people took part in the parade,[25] but it later changed the figure to 250,000,[26] while the Hong Kong police set the figure at 111,800, while the University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme put the maximum number of participants at 88,000.[27][28]

Controversies[edit]

The Alliance suffered a major credibility crisis due to rampant media reports that the movement engaged in "rent-a-protester" to boost numbers at the rally.[2] It and organisations allied to it were accused of offering people cash, free-meals and pecuniary benefits in an attempt to boost the turnout of the Anti-Occupy Central Parade.[29] The media reported pro-establishment groups had put on cross-border transport to bring in marchers[30] and that as many as 20,000 people may have been bussed in from across the border.[28] Robert Chow, the spokesman of the Alliance, responded that he saw nothing improper in distributing lunch boxes to groups joining the parade as a token of thanks.[29][31]

Numerous media captured video footage of what appears to be people being paid to take part in the parade.[32] Undercover reporters also filed reports of payments of HK$200-$350 ($25-45) and other gifts of food items as inducements being made to participants by various organising sub-groups.[33][34][35] In response to this, Hong Kong Youth Association, one of the groups filmed by reporters, threatened Cable TV News with legal action over the "dishonest editing", implying it had used imposters.[32] The Alliance itself initially stonewalled and denied anybody had been paid, and accused media of fabricating reports.[2] Chow, in damage control, thanked the media for helping to maintain probity.[2] He admitted that Hong Kong Hakka Associations had paid people to join the march, and pledged to cross out 200 paid individuals from the estimated turnout of the parade.[36] Later, the Alliance further admitted that a subsidiary of one of its member groups, the General Association of Hong Kong Heyuan Societies, had paid people varying amounts of cash to join the match.[37]

Class boycott database controversy[edit]

In response to the CPC decision, Hong Kong Federation of Students and the student pressure group Scholarism plan to stage a co-ordinated class boycott in Hong Kong and organise public events, including street assemblies.[38][39] To ward off a massive mobilisation, the APD set up a telephone hotline with the objective of collecting data on high school students who participate in the boycott to "save underaged youths from being exploited".[38] Chow said that the information would be passed on to the boycotters' schools, PTAs and the education bureau, and threatened to make the information public.

Federation of Students secretary general denounced the Alliance hotline as "white terror, political persecution and fear-mongering trying to pressure the parents and a violation of privacy".[38][40] The denunciations hotline received strong criticism from the education sector.[41]Ip Kin-yuen, representing the education sector in LegCo, condemned the alliance for pressuring the schools and as well as students, and urged educators to uphold students' rights to freedom speech.[38] Headmasters of Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School, among others, said there was no need for the alliance to notify them of boycotters' names, saying that he knew who they were and that they had his blessing.[42][9] The headmaster of Diocesan Boys' School said the affairs of its students on the school's own turf need not be the concern of others.[43][9] The school principals expressed trust in and respect for their students.[44][42] In its editorial, Ming Pao strongly criticised the Cultural Revolution-style intelligence-gathering on individuals for political purposes as "highly divisive".[41] It said that it was difficult to see from any angle how such a campaign had any benefit, the effects of this political intervention by the alliance on Hong Kong and within school campuses can only be adverse and highly destructive.[41]Secretary for Education said on 10 September that the Education Bureau would liaise with relevant schools upon information of boycotts, and would offer assistance as required by the schools.[45] After receiving complaints from teaching unions, the office of the Privacy Commissioner said that there was "no evidence to suggest that the alliance has applied unlawful and misleading means" to acquire the personal data, but reminded the APD to abide by its obligations under the ordinance.[43] In the meantime, the alliance temporarily suspended the operation of its telephone hotline, blaming it on the deluge of prank calls, but invited the public to continue to submit their denunciations by fax or email.[43][46] An editorial in The Standard said the hotline was "riddled with fault", and suggested that the alliance shut down the line definitively.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ ab"Alliance For Peace and Democracy". Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  2. ^ abcde"March newbies pay media price". The Standard. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  3. ^ ab"Chow doesn't want broadcasting job". The Standard (Hong Kong). 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  4. ^ abcSiu, Beatrice (4 July 2014). "Pro-Beijing counter group born". The Standard (Hong Kong). Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  5. ^ abcChan, Samuel (14 July 2014). "Hundreds join march against Occupy Central". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  6. ^Noble, Josh (29 July 2014). "HK petition denounces pro-democracy movement". Financial Times (Hong Kong). Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  7. ^ abChan, Kahon (19 July 2014). "Petition against 'Occupy' begins". Hong Kong: China Daily Asia. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  8. ^Wong, Alan (21 July 2014). "Campaign Tries Tapping into Hong Kong's 'Silent Majority'". The New York Times (Hong Kong). Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  9. ^ abcdhttp://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=49&art_id=149359&sid=42970541&con_type=1&d_str=20140912&isSearch=1&sear_year=2014
  10. ^ abNgai, Edward (18 August 2014) "Hong Kong's Pro-Beijing Groups March to Oppose Occupy Central". The Wall Street Journal.
  11. ^ abc"Questions raised over credibility of planned anti-Occupy Signatures". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). 10 July 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  12. ^Luk, Eddie (18 July 2014). "Firms reject anti-Occupy drive". The Standard (Hong Kong). Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  13. ^"Anti-Occupy Central campaign goes online". Hong Kong: RTHK. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  14. ^"梁振英「反佔中」簽名:追求普選不可違法" (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Wenweipo. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  15. ^"CE signs petition for anti-Occupy". The Standard (Hong Kong). 15 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014. 
  16. ^ ab"香港「保普選 反佔中」簽名破150萬 總數遠超預期" (in Chinese). 鉅亨網新聞中心. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. 
  17. ^""反占中"收逾150万签名 25万人参与和平普选日". Ta Kung Pao (in Simplified Chinese). 19 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014. 
  18. ^Kilpatrick, Rya (29 July 2014). "Critics call out million-strong pro-government petition in Hong Kong". Hong Kong: online.thatsmags. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  19. ^China Real Time Report (28 July 2014). "A Million Sign Hong Kong Petition as Democracy Fight Ratchets Up". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  20. ^"Towngas Backs Down After Asking Staff Sign Anti Occupy Central". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  21. ^Walker, Pete (17 August 2014). "Alliance for Peace and Democracy holds Fun Run in central Hong Kong". Hong Kong: Demotix. Retrieved 17 August 2014. 
  22. ^"Hundreds join anti-Occupy Central run ahead of march". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014. 
  23. ^"Anti-Occupy Central Run Joined by Hundreds ahead of March". Harbour Times. Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  24. ^Chan, Kahon (5 August 2014). "Aug 17 rallies to show public opposes 'Occupy'". China Daily (Hong Kong). Retrieved 16 August 2014. 
  25. ^"Anti-Occupy Central alliance pledge to investigate cash handout reports". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). 18 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014. 
  26. ^Chan, Kahon (18 August 2014). "250,000 marched against Occupy: Alliance". China Daily (Hong Kong). Retrieved 18 August 2014. 
  27. ^"Police estimate more than 110,00 marchers attended Anti Occupy Central Match despite kick and controversy". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). 18 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014. 
  28. ^ ab"More street fights' cooling effect". The Standard. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  29. ^ abNg, Joyce (10 August 2014). "Free meals and other treats for anti-Occupy Central marchers defended". South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). Retrieved 17 August 2014. 
  30. ^http://www.cnbc.com/id/101925513
  31. ^"派飯誘8.17遊行 周融稱無問題". Apple Daily (in Chinese) (Hong Kong). 30 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014. 
  32. ^ ab"Cable TV faces legal action over report". Hong Kong: RTHK. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  33. ^"直擊「蛇頭」請人湊夠數 派錢送禮物 報到即可收工". Apple Daily (in Chinese) (Hong Kong). Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  34. ^"社團拒認派錢 4疑點未解 記者「放蛇」遊行 獲免費午餐派錢300元". Ming Pao (in Chinese) (Hong Kong). 18 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  35. ^"商會為遊行人士提供膳食及車費" (in Chinese). Hong Kong: now新聞台. 17 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  36. ^"March organiser denies paying marchers". Hong Kong: RTHK. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014. 
  37. ^"Alliance admits more marchers were paid". The Standard (Hong Kong). 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014. 
  38. ^ abcd"'Snitch line' in operation against school boycotters in H.K.". GlobalPost. Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  39. ^Yung, Chester; Ngai, Edward (21 August 2014). "Hong Kong Students to Boycott Classes If Democracy Demands Aren't Met". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  40. ^"举报罢课热线被指侵私隐反占中搜师生资料「预_" [Strike hotline invasion of privacy alleged teachers and students share information] (in Chinese). 加拿大家园网. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. 
  41. ^ abc"舉報罷課介入校政 破壞信任撕裂社會" Boycott denunciations interfere with school management, destroys trust and divides society. Ming Pao. 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014
  42. ^ ab"沙崇校長﹕請周融不用找我" [Tsung Chun headmaster: Please don't come looking for me, Robert Chow]. Ming Pao (in Chinese). 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. 
  43. ^ abc"Exco member says he'd join Occupy if it would work". South China Morning Post, 11 September 2014, pg. C1
  44. ^Lau, Kenneth (12 September 2014). "Churches divided on class boycotts". The Standard.
  45. ^"吳克儉:應向學生講罷課的負面影響". Yahoo 新聞香港. 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. 
  46. ^"重申設立《學校家長救救孩子》熱綫目的". Alliance for Peace and Democracy. Retrieved 11 September 2014. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_for_Peace_and_Democracy_(Hong_Kong)