HK leaders join in chorus of unity

Prominent Hong Kong figures have rallied behind President Xi Jinping's call for the city to give top priority to ending the prolonged unrest, which requires all government departments and sectors of the community to work toward that goal.

It followed Xi's remarks during the BRICS Summit last week when the president reiterated that the SAR's most pressing task at present is to bring the violence and chaos to an end and restore order.

Brave Chan Yung — a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature — said protecting people's lives and property, and maintaining public order should be the priority principle of any government.

He said Hong Kong has come under indiscriminate attack and vandalism by rioters. Hong Kong people should not turn a blind eye to such unruly actions that challenge the bottom line of "one country, two systems" and might seriously undermine it.

Another NPC deputy, Pauline Ngan Po-ling, agreed that the immediate task is to quell the violence and restore order. She called for better coordination among government departments and other political groups in the SAR, so that unrest could be put to a stop promptly.

Ngan urged the SAR government, the police force and the judiciary to strengthen coordination and make concerted efforts to achieve their common objectives, adding it's the only way for Hong Kong to stop the violence, restore social stability and truly implement "one country, two systems".

Leung Che-cheung — a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body — said the great cause of "one country, two systems" will not be shaken by a handful of violent forces and whoever is behind them.

He urged the Hong Kong community to stand in solidarity and release a powerful positive energy to withstand the violent storm, restore calmness in society and maintain the city's prosperity and stability.

Legislator Aron Kwok Wai-keung warned that the opposition camp will use the upcoming District Council elections to challenge "one country, two systems".

He called on voters to make good use of the ballots to elect people who truly love the country and Hong Kong, and uphold the "one country, two systems" principle.

Kwok, who's a member of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, will compete in Eastern District's Provident constituency in the district council polls, due to be held on Sunday, with Chan Duncan and Andrew Lam Sze-nam.