A lot of ink has been spilled lately about the protests in Hong Kong against the controversial, now "dead" in the water, extradition bill.

The latest to pick up his pen is retired Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan.

Harsh truths for Hong Kong

Writing for Global Brief, his article is titled "Harsh Truths for Hong Kong", a title reminiscent of one of the late Lee Kuan Yew's books.

The piece is a more fleshed-out summation of his views on the Hong Kong protests, after sharing his thoughts on them on his Facebook page over the past few weeks.

He reserved his strongest words, for instance, for the protesters' violent attack on the Legislative Council building: The bill is currently " dead ", although Chief Executive Carrie Lam stopped short of announcing a full legal withdrawal on July 9.

Protesters have vowed more rallies until their demands are met, such as having an independent judge investigate the police tactics used during the protests, according to CNA.

"... what they will achieve: absolutely nothing!"

Bilahari, in his signature candour, did not hold back from the very start:

"I do not know when the demonstrations will end. But I am quite certain about what they will achieve: Absolutely nothing!"

He said that while he understood the "disquiet" of Hongkongers confronted with the growing control of the Chinese Communist Party under President Xi Jinping, he believes that Hong Kong has "lost that battle before it even began".

The unity of China is not an issue Beijing is willing to compromise, he wrote, adding that it has always placed much bigger weight on the "One country" part of the "One country, two systems" set-up.

"Beijing was willing to tolerate ‘Two Systems’ provided it did not undermine ‘One Country’. But this is precisely what the demonstrators, particularly those who have resorted to violence in defiance of the law, are now doing."

Hong Kong protesters have few options

Bilahari also said that Hongkongers had few options or sources of back-up, as other countries would be reluctant to lend anything more than token support.

While China has other problems to deal with at the moment, such as its ongoing trade war with the U.S., it can afford to wait out the protesters.

Said Bilahari:

"The Hong Kong people are used to thinking of themselves as the centre of their own universe, a delusion perhaps inherited from the British. But what the demonstrators have failed to understand is that Hong Kong is no longer unique."

He points out that the growth of even third- and fourth-tier Chinese cities that now interact directly with the world economy, has made Hong Kong less distinct from the rest of China as it used to be.

And, he argues, the things that do made Hong Kong unique, such as its stability and the rule of law, are being diminished by the violent protests.

"And in any case, with or without legislation, China can snatch – and has snatched – anyone it wants from over the border."

Protests fuelled by material frustrations

Bilahari added that calling for democracy is not the way forward for Hong Kong, pointing out that the city was ruled as a colony by the British before it came under Chinese rule.

"What Hong Kong really needs is not more democracy but better governance. Good governance requires political representation, but the terms are not synonyms."

Bilahari also cited problems faced by Hongkongers, such as the difficulty faced by people in buying or renting homes, as responsible for the loss in confidence of local youths in their future.

He also said he is surprised the protesters do not lay more blame at the feet of wealthy "tycoons", whose power is an obstacle to good governance and a "sensible housing policy".

Not something most Singaporeans "would care to emulate"

He then draws a contrast with Singapore, which remains independent and sovereign.

Bilahari said Singaporeans sympathise with what's going on in Hong Kong, but don't do so out of envy:

"We watch what is unfolding in Hong Kong with sympathy. But it is the sympathy that one feels for a friend or relative so desperate as to contemplate suicide. This is not something most Singaporeans would care to emulate."

Singapore and Hong Kong are seen as "rivals", Bilahari said, and there may be short-term benefits of the turmoil for Singapore competitively, but Bilahari reminds us that Hong Kong's stability and prosperity is in our long-term interests, as well as those of the region.

Interesting.

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Top image from @phoebe_kongwy on Twitter and Getty.