The US Must Apologize to Hong Kong's Government

Stephen M. Young, the current consul general of the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong, had a tea reception with the Hong Kong media before leaving his post. Young claimed it was not necessary for the U.S. to apologize after it was revealed that the U.S. had hacked into Hong Kong’s computer systems. Young expressed disappointment at the SAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) government’s handling of former CIA employee Edward Snowden. Snowden exposed the U.S. government’s hacking of Hong Kong computer networks, which was a serious violation of human rights in Hong Kong. The United States not only refused to apologize, but also made false accusations, which led the Hong Kong people to be disappointed, discontent, and indignant. The United States must be held accountable for their actions towards the people of Hong Kong, issue an apology, and stop hacking into our computer systems.

Snowden revealed that the U.S. government has been hacking into our computers since 2009, which seriously infringes upon the rights of the Hong Kong people. However, the U.S. not only did not issue an apology and give a truthful account of what happened, but also shirked responsibility for its actions, confusing fundamental ideas of right and wrong. Article XII of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” The SAR Government adhered to laws, without being influenced by fear or pressure from the United States, in dealing with the Snowden affair, which contributes to the maintenance human rights and the rule of the law. Stephen M. Young’s absurd statements not only rudely interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, but also expose U.S. violations of human rights and its disregard for the law.

The SAR Government has formally requested that the United States send a letter to explain the Hong Kong computer hacking incident and declare that they will continue to follow up and maintain protection of human rights. Yesterday, the Legislative Council passed a motion urging the government to follow up with Snowden’s exposure of the U.S. government’s hacking of our computer system. Obviously, the fact that Snowden has left Hong Kong does not mean that the U.S. is any less accountable with regards to the computer hacking incident.

Stephen M. Young also remarked that those who initiated the “Occupy Central” movement hope to spark a dialogue about resolving the issue. This ignores clear facts. Occupy Central promoter Tai Yiuting repeatedly has publicly insisted that Occupy Central does not rule out the possibility of violent events that lead to bloodshed, and also has insisted that events should be a “nuclear explosion in the ring”, a “nuclear explosion in Hong Kong”, which will “truly cause Hong Kong to be paralyzed, making Hong Kong an ungovernable place” — is this really the hoped for dialogue that can resolve the issue? Stephen M. Young, the consul general of the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong for three years now, often intervenes in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, receiving criticism from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Office, and the Hong Kong public. Stephen M. Young’s future successor should heed this as a warning to avoid making the same mistakes.