In the year of the sheep, Hong Kong people must bear in mind that C. Y. Leung is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
In his latest controversial statement, Chief Executive C. Y. Leung used his annual Lunar New Year message to urge Hong Kong citizens to be more like sheep ¡X that is, more ¡§mild and gentle¡¨ and presumably not taking part in any further protests. ¡§Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals, living peacefully in groups,¡¨ Leung said, ¡§Last year was no easy ride for Hong Kong. Our society was rife with difference and conflicts,¡¨ he continued, referencing last year¡¦s massive Occupy Central and other associated protest movements which shut down the downtown Central for several months.
¡§In the coming year, I hope that all people in Hong Kong will take inspiration from the sheep¡¦s character and pull together in an accommodating manner to work for Hong Kong¡¦s future,¡¨ Leung said in the message.
The remarks drew immediate criticism, with opposition Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau saying, "while Leung is urging people to learn from the virtues of sheep, ... he himself is doing exactly the opposite to provoke so much confrontation, and he is tearing the society apart. It¡¦s very contradictory and duplicitous.¡¨
Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok said, ¡§it seems like Leung wants the people to blindly follow what he says, like sheep following the shepherd,¡¨ but that this was ¡§kind of ironic because many people see him as the guy causing a lot of conflicts in Hong Kong.¡¨
Leung is no stranger to controversial comments. During the midst of the protesters¡¦ shutdown of Central Hong Kong, he told foreign media that giving all adults the right to elect nominees for the territory¡¦s leadership wouldn¡¦t be wise, as it would allow ¡§those who earn less than [US]$1,800 a month¡¨ to dominate the vote.