On 31 August, 2019, Ambassador Chao Xiaoliang published a headline article titled "Unrest in Hong Kong serves nobody's interest" on "Samoa Observer", a major English-Samoan bilingual newspaper in Samoa. Here is what Ambassador Chao writes:
Unrest in Hong Kong serves nobody's interest
By H.E. Mr. Chao Xiaoliang
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Independent State of Samoa
Since June this year, the situation in Hong Kong has been continuously turbulent. The violent criminal activities plotted, organized and incited by some forces of "anti-China and messing up Hong Kong" have been escalating. In the disguise of opposing the ordinance amendments, the rioters staged illegal rallies and deliberately vandalized public facilities and private properties in Hong Kong. They not only assaulted the police, the innocent journalists and the public, broke into and occupied the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but also smeared the Chinese national emblem and insulted the Chinese national flag. By shouting the slogan of "Hong Kong independence" and holding the banner of "Hong Kong independence", the rioters openly challenged the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle of China. The violences have seriously damaged Hong Kong’s rule of law and the economic and social order，and badly impaired Hong Kong’s prosperity, stability and international image.
Since ancient times, Hong Kong has been a sacred and inseparable part of Chinese territory. In 1842, Britain waged the Opium War against China and eventually forced China to cede Hong Kong Island. In 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Under the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Central Government has been staying committed to the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a "high degree of autonomy”, unprecedentedly contributing to the enrichment and development of Hong Kong's democratic system and the steady economic growth. Hong Kong's total GDP in the year of 2018 is 2 times than that of 1997. The past two decades prove that the principle of "one country, two systems" is the optimum solution to ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Anyone unprejudiced should recognize that after Chinese government restored its sovereignty over Hong Kong, Hong Kong has been entitled to much more rights of democracy, freedom and participation in politics compared with the period under British rule. Under the cover of opposing the ordinance amendments, "anti-China and messing up Hong Kong" forces seek to overthrow Hong Kong's existing political structure and split Hong Kong from China .This conspiracy is strongly rejected by the 1.4 billion Chinese people，including 7 million Hong Kong compatriots. As stated by Deng Xiaoping, “Sovereignty is not an issue that can be negotiated. For China, there is no room for compromise on this matter.”
It is not hard to see that some countries’ anti-China forces and the force of "Taiwan independence" played a very disgraceful role in the unrest of Hong Kong. They undisguisedly colluded with the "anti-China and messing up Hong Kong" forces and backed them up in the way of providing financial support and even political asylum. In the attempt of repeating the so-called "Arab Spring" and "Color Revolution" in Hong Kong, they planned to disrupt the Chinese mainland thorough destabilizing Hong Kong. It is a fact that Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, which brook no interference from any foreign country, organization and individual. Those who intervene in Hong Kong affairs should be warned to stop meddling with China’s internal affairs immediately, not lifting a rock to have his own toes squashed.
Justice may be late, but never be absent. The escalating illegal and violent acts in Hong Kong are pushing Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation, which serve nobody’s interest. Stopping violence and restoring order in Hong Kong are the most pressing thing to do right now. The Chinese Central Government stands firmly with the government and police of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to take measures by law to terminate the violence and reinstate the social order.
Only in the arms of the motherland can Hong Kong share the incomparable glory of the great motherland together with the 1.4 billion Chinese people.