Hong Kong commerce minister says standoff over copyright bill is ‘like a nuclear bomb explosion’
Article by Greg So in pro-government newspapers slams pan-democrats for paralyzing Legco meetings over controversial new law
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung hit out at the pan-democrats for paralysing Legislative Council meetings over the controversial Copyright Ordinance amendment bill.
In an article published in several pro-government newspapers on Monday, So said the action by the pan-democrats – forcing the council meeting to be adjourned by repeated calls for quorum – led other proposals to be stuck in the queue.
“No one can see the end of the dark tunnel,” he said in the article.
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“The situation is like a nuclear bomb explosion and is unprecedented in the Legco. Many members of the public ask why the minority legislators are targeting [the amendment bill].”
In response to the pan-democrats’ calls for broader exemptions in the amendment, So said their concerns over the current version of the law eroding freedom of expression were unsubstantial.
He also said the bill and the Basic Law gave protection to free speech.
The commerce minister questioned why the pan-democrats’ were taking action at the expense of other proposals concerning the people’s livelihood and economic issues.
“Now it’s as if the seven million Hongkongers are being chained to a chariot. It is only heading to destruction for all,” he said.
