Hong Kong publisher says external forces behind protests
Updated 23:21, 15-Oct-2019
By Zhao Yunfei and Chang Yuanyang
02:02

News outlets from around the world have been closely following the recent violent protests in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. However, one-sided reporting by a few media outlets has hidden some facts from the world. A newspaper publisher disputed allegations of police brutality and said his reporters have a different story to tell.

In an interview with CGTN, Sing Tao Daily's Chairman Charles Ho said the paper's journalists saw more violence from the protestors than the police.

"People in Hong Kong always think we are in the middle ground with fairness and accuracy," Ho said, adding that his paper had developed its credibility on the shoulders of its readers.

03:40

Ho was born in Hong Kong and lived overseas for several decades. He says the unrest is not a simple demonstration for democracy, but a movement supported by external forces.

"This rioting is well financed, well organized. They are even better organized than the police and our logistics," Ho said.

Many rioters on the street are young people who are frustrated over a scarcity of resources. Ho said they have lost the spirit to make something of their lives.

"The government has a lot of programs for startups and younger people," said Ho. "I think the young people should not blame the government. They should blame themselves. They should go out and work hard." 

Opportunities are not far away. The integrated development plan of China's Greater Bay Area links Hong Kong with Macao and nine mainland cities. The independent regulatory framework of Hong Kong gives entrepreneurs the space they need for development. 

04:46

However, the hard part of getting more Hong Kong locals involved is to foster their sense of belonging as Chinese citizens.

Ho attributed violence from young protestors with "undereducation," as schools lack Chinese history classes.

Ho hoped the unrest can alert teachers and parents to pay more attention to education.

"This is a mental disorder," said Ho, "and things will go back to normal."