'Give Peace A Chance' To Help Hong Kong Heal

The chairwoman of the Central and Western District Council, Cheng Lai-king, on Sunday called on Hongkongers to use "peaceful means" to achieve their goals, and to come together over the Lunar New Year.

Speaking on RTHK' s Letter to Hong Kong programme, Cheng said Hong Kong people have suffered in the past two years - first, because of the anti-government protests and now because of the Covid-19 pandemic. She said it's time to heal the rifts among families and friends caused by the social unrest.

She said major concerns were rule of law, freedom of expression, the big poverty gap and dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Meanwhile, the virus pandemic had caused fear, anxiety and alienation arising from unemployment, social distancing, lack of schooling and the lockdowns.

Cheng said Hong Kong people must exercise tolerance and have self-restraining mindsets, though sometimes we encounter loneliness, alienation, anxiety and fear. To face the challenges ahead, she said we need to adapt to new lifestyles and patterns.