'Speak To The Young To Restore Social Order'

The health services sector legislator, Joseph Lee, says recent events surrounding the government's attempt to change the extradition laws demonstrate the administration's "complete failure" to connect with the public, especially young people.

Speaking on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong programme after a week that saw angry protesters storm the Legislative Council, Lee said officials had failed to give citizens answers to their concerns about the now-suspended extradition bill and its reaction to demonstrations against it.

"I believe that every attempt has to be made to address the existing social tensions through trust, mutual respect and rational discourse," he said.

"To move the city forward, I would appeal to the government to have the courage to adopt an open and youth-friendly attitude starting off a direct dialogue with Hong Kong people, especially the youngsters and students.

"It would be difficult but this is what a sensible and responsible government has to be done."

Lee said he had witnessed for himself the "unnecessary bloodshed which resulted from an unbalanced used of force and abused of authority" when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas as protesters surrounded the Legco building on June 12.

He said he was also "extremely disturbed" by the arrests of protesters in hospital in the days after that protest.