Archbishop Paul Kwong prays for Hong Kong in the aftermath of violent conflicts

Publish Date: 17-Jun-2019

Following the protest march against the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 on 9 June, a violent confrontation broke out on 12 June, when the police tried to stop protesters occupying the road leading to the Legislative Council Building, resulting in tens of people injured.

Archbishop Paul Kwong of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui told Echo that the conflict pained him. He said, “Hong Kong has always respected the right of all segments of society to express their views and stances in a rational, peaceful, and lawful manner. And the peaceful march on 9 June was a good example of this convention.”

However, the protest on 12 June turned into violence and resulted in a confrontation between the police and the demonstrators were unacceptable. Archbishop Kwong believes that violent conflict not only causes harm to oneself and to others, but also social disorder, and this is not something the majority of the public would like to see.

Archbishop Kwong stresses confrontation will not resolve the issue. The government and the opposition should slow down and seek a common path to resolve the controversies.