Political blackmail can never be tolerated

Hong Kong police conducted midnight raids on 22 properties across the special administrative region on Saturday, arresting 17 individuals and seizing some 2,600 kilograms of explosive chemicals and other bomb-making materials.

The raids were linked to two earlier incidents: the detonating of a small explosive device inside a public toilet at a hospital in Sham Shui Po on Jan 27, and the discovery the following week of explosive devices near two checkpoints on the boundary with the Chinese mainland. Two local groups claimed responsibility demanding the SAR government completely shut the city off from the mainland to stop the novel coronavirus from entering the city.

There were 115 confirmed cases of infection in the SAR on Monday and three people were confirmed to have died of the virus, and given the improving trend on the mainland, there is no reason why the SAR should see an explosion in the number of cases so long as it takes appropriate actions to contain the spread of the virus and prevent imported transmission.

It is the seizure on the weekend of the largest-ever haul of explosive materials in the SAR that is therefore potentially more worrying as it indicates that some of those responsible for the unrest that has plagued Hong Kong in recent months have totally lost whatever plot they may have had and they are willing to resort to terrorism on the flimsiest of justifications.

The Hong Kong police, despite the opposition camp's claims to the contrary, have done a commendable job in enforcing the law and protecting the local community. But the war on terrorism entails the participation of all sectors of society. Hong Kong residents everywhere are encouraged to be on high alert and inform the police of any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods for the sake of their own safety as well as the overall interests of Hong Kong society as a whole.

Hong Kong courts also have their part to play. They are expected to realize that judgments with sufficient deterrence are imperative at a time when Hong Kong is threatened by terrorism. They must make it unmistakably clear that pursuing political objectives through terrorist threats or acts will not be condoned under any circumstances.

But as well as trying to deter any terrorist acts by local activists, it is also essential to uncover those commanding, aiding and abetting such terrorist activities in Hong Kong, and putting an end to their dangerous antics.

Any forces trying to sow division, stir up hatred and instigate a "color revolution" in Hong Kong should be unmasked as the instigators and enablers of the terrorism that now threatens the SAR, and their operations immediately brought to an end.