For more than two decades, the Chinese flag has been fluttering day and night at the Golden Bauhinia Square, despite Hong Kong's unique political travails since China's takeover back in 1997. While British flags have largely vanished, except those at the British Consulate here in town, terms unique to Hong Kong under British rule remain in our statute books. With that, I am of the opinion that such terms should be abolished for the sake of complete decolonisation.
Keeping such terms in our statute books indicates an incomplete decolonisation of Hong Kong, which could potentially make Hong Kong a political pawn. Ever since the British government buckled under pressure to retreat from Hong Kong -- once a British colony for almost a century -- China has fiercely asserted its control over Hong Kong, while stipulating Hong Kongers' freedom to govern the city under the touted "One Country, Two Systems". 1997 was the year Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule, and how long has it been? 25 years. 25 years later, and the remnants of British rule, including such terms as "Her Majesty" remain in Hong Kong's statute books. This proves British still does wield political influence over Hong Kong. Now, what would happen to Hong Kong if Beijing and Britain came to blows over the control of Hong Kong, with Britain citing such terms as "Her Majesty" to vindicate itself whenever it intervenes? Especially lately, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing has repeatedly denounced Britain for interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs by favouring anti-government politicians, and it has long lashed back. Hong Kong's stability could potentially be threatened as a result, with both sides pelting each other with blame and in turn making Hong Kong a pawn in the crossfire.
Also jeopardising Hong Kong's stability is how keeping such terms will fester more backlash from both sides of the local political divide. Hong Kong's political turmoil had dominated the headlines across the globe before COVID-19 struck and anti-government forces began to die down. From an objective vantage point, both anti- and pro-government advocates will fight pitched battles yet again if these British terms remain in Hong Kong's laws. Anti-government forces are bound to spark more hate towards the government and Beijing on grounds of such terms staying in Hong Kong's statute books. They will argue that, given these terms exist here, Britain has the power to regain control of Hong Kong and depose the incumbent government. Just like what happened back in 2019, they will relentlessly feed anti-government rhetoric in an effort to topple the current regime and letting foreign forces intervene, in turn dragging the city right back into unrest. But never forget that pro-China forces will fight fire with fire. They are likely to be infuriated because not only do they support wiping out British influence from Hong Kong entirely, but they will also accuse anti-government rioters of smearing the city and treason. As a result, pitched battles between the two sides will again erupt, thrusting us into more uproar and all boil down to the decision to keep such terms in our statute books.
I need to clarify that I agree 100 percent with those who rebuff my claims above and instead contend that Hong Kong's historical connections with Britain should be treasured and salvaged. This has long given Hong Kong an edge over other cities as people believe Hong Kongers are more proficient in English and are fortunate to be connected to British culture. But rather than keeping such terms in the laws as a testament, do the artefacts in Hong Kong's museums and libraries not attest to the historical connections? Hong Kong recently saw the birth of the M+ Museum, which houses artwork from across the globe -- many from Europe and Britain. Exquisite British art pieces showing the Queen touring Hong Kong can also be found in the Heritage Museum, which collaborates often with the British Museum given Hong Kongers are fascinated by such art pieces. What is more, there have been thematic exhibitions in libraries around town related to Hong Kong's past and present. Books such as "The Last Governor" by Jonathan Dimbleby illustrating the last five years of British rule here are always on display. There are just too many to list yet notably, they all base on Hong Kong under British rule. Do any other regions or countries boast such connections with Britain that make for the theme of various books and artefacts? I do not think so. Plus, it is important to know that the artefacts alone are already adequate, and keeping such terms as "Her Majesty" in our laws as the "icing on the cake" would be redundant and to the detriment of every HongKonger.
With such horrendous issues that may arise as a result of keeping such British terms in our statute books, they speak volumes -- we should abandon them once and for all.
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