• Tweeter

  • republish

Several companies in Hong Kong call for an end to the violence. REUTERS / Tyrone Siu

Several Hong Kong companies have issued statements on Friday, August 16th, expressing their opposition to the violence and "illegal acts" committed in the special administrative region as this Saturday opens a new mobilization weekend.

With our correspondent in Beijing, Stéphane Lagarde

Tension remains strong in Hong Kong as a new mobilization weekend begins with pro-democracy protesters. Hong Kong police and Chinese authorities have warned that the perpetrators of further violence will be severely repressed.

In the business community , the statements follow and are similar in recent hours. Magnets of finance and corporate bosses unanimously call for an end to the violence.

"Love the territory and China"

The end of the violence is also the message delivered this Friday by the richest man of the special administrative region: the king of real estate Li Ka-Shing . At age 91, he splits an advertisement in the newspapers inviting his fellow citizens to " love the territory and China ".

The message was echoed by global auditing giants KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The big four accounting firms wrote separately to the Global Times to remind them of their opposition to any action involving national sovereignty.

These statements come after companies are strongly invited to do so. The state-run daily claims that "industry members and Chinese netizens " urged these same firms " to fire their pro-riot staff ." Pressures to try to avoid a strong mobilization this Sunday.

On June 16, on the occasion of the march that brought together two million opponents of the anti-extradition law , several large Hong Kong companies offered their employees to telecommute, so as to allow them to participate in the demonstration. .

" Biao tai " and intimidation

Whenever an opposition manifests itself, Chinese power demands that everyone take a stand. In communist jargon, this position is called " biao tai ". Leaders, institutions, individuals must be in line, at least officially.

This unification of thought makes it possible to sort friends, enemies. A tactic of intimidation that comes on top of the show of force this Thursday, August 15 of the People's Armed Police in a stadium on the outskirts of Hong Kong and a threat of intervention in the state media if the back to order late to come.

A show of force of the armed police took place this Thursday, August 15 in a stadium near Hong Kong. STR / AFP

Cathay Pacific chief executive Rupert Hogg , meanwhile, escaped this pressure by resigning his duties on Friday at the head of the flagship airline of the special administrative region.

Express personal opinions

Others try to handle the art of dodging. " The best intention can lead to the worst result, " Li Ka-shing said in a statement to the newspapers. An ambiguous quotation from Tang poetry and interpreted by some as a condemnation of protesters, police and authorities.

In its statement, the firm Deloitte for its part affirms the right for its employees to express personal opinions in a peaceful and rational way, but that these statements did not represent the position of the company.