November 15, 2019

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on November 14 issued a statement demanding that the Chinese leadership cease violent suppressions of the anti-government protests immediately.

The full text of his statement is as follows:

(1)
In Hong Kong, police have intensified action taken against anti-government protests. On November 11th, one policeman shot an unarmed protester. That was an outrageous and unethical act. By recent police actions of rushing into universities, a lot of people were injured and arrested. Police have also arrested seven pro-democracy lawmakers in parliament. Clashes with police have resulted in civilian causalities so it is necessary to obtain as many facts as possible about the complicated situations.
The JCP considers it important for protesters to strictly refrain from acts of violence and express their opinions through peaceful means. However, we strongly oppose the cracking down on protests by police and the Hong Kong government with the use of lethal firearms.

(2)
The increase of suppression by the Hong Kong authorities has been carried out with the approval and guidance of Chinese highest leaders.
Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China stated that the central government highly values Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and her governance in a meeting they had with her. In addition, Xi noted that “ending violence and chaos and restoring order remain the most important task for Hong Kong at present”. We can see that his statement has particular significance for Hong Kong under the policy of “one country, two systems” led by the Chinese government.

In fact, the Chinese government championed the Hong Kong police’s violence to civil protesters by stating that “such attempts will be dealt with strong police response” on November 11(Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on November 12).

The ruling party-friendly media told Hong Kong police to “Fear nothing” and “When necessary, the People's Armed Police Force and the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison will back you up in accordance with the Basic Law” (Global Times - editorial comment on November 11). They thus officially inflame the situation by threatening the use of the military threat in crashes between civil protests.

(3)
It is obvious that the mainland Chinese government and the ruling party have a fundamental responsibility to decrease the violent suppression of protest in Hong Kong today. Their reaction and measures implemented are incompatible with a socialism that respects democracy and human rights above all.
The Chinese government has an international responsibility to protect human rights as the issue of human rights issues are international concern in today’s world.
The JCP strongly demands that the Chinese leadership cease violent suppressions of the anti-government protests immediately. The Chinese leaders should take the responsibility to ratchet down the current violent situation by peaceful means based on the “one country, two systems” principle.