Open Letter to US Consul-General Kurt Tong – when are you going to tell the truth about what the NED are doing in Hong Kong?

US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau,

26 Garden Road,

Central,

Hong Kong.

Mr Kurt Tong, US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Photo: Courtesy HKFP

Mr. Tong,

You recently briefed the American Chamber of Commerce on the special relationship enjoyed between Hong Kong and America and stated:

"'one country, two systems' is not only a very unique and special reality. It is also a construct that both China's central government and the people of Hong Kong -- and for that matter, the United States as well -- all aim to maintain”.

You also said:

“the United States and the people of Hong Kong share an abiding respect for certain fundamental freedoms, and certain core values”.

The Standard. 22 September 2016

We believe as a people our shared core values include commitments to honesty and integrity and a desire for open, transparent and accountable government. Your predecessor Mr. Clifford Hart was not an honest man. He suppressed the truth about what your government is doing in Hong Kong, not only from the Hong Kong people, but also from your president. 

NED is funding a colour revolution in Hong Kong

Your government has funded a colour revolution in Hong Kong and if you truly share our core values, we would like you to tell the truth about what the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is doing spending US Government funds in Hong Kong, specifically, can you tell the truth about the following:

Question 1. What was the US$460,000 given by the NED to support Occupy Central spent on?

In 2012 the NED granted the National Democratic Institute (NDI) US$460,000 to:

“To foster awareness regarding Hong Kong's political institutions and constitutional reform process and to develop the capacity of citizens - particularly university students - to more effectively participate in the public debate on political reform, NDI will work with civil society organizations on parliamentary monitoring, a survey, and development of an Internet portal, allowing students and citizens to explore possible reforms leading to universal suffrage”.

NED Annual Report 2012
Grants to Hong Kong

Can you explain to the Hong Kong people what this money was spent on, and specifically, which university students were the subjects of your program and what was their role in the Occupy Central Protests/Umbrella movement?

Question 2. What was the US$461,210 given by the NED to amplify citizen’s voices in Hong Kong spent on?

In 2014 the NED granted the NDI further funds to amplify citizen’s voices in Hong Kong, as follows:

“Political Processes - US$410,000 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong & China - To engage Hong Kong civic and political sectors in substantive dialogue around governance and electoral reform processes and to provide civic education for Chinese activists. NDI will assist efforts to promote citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative”.

“Political Processes - Supplement: US$51,210 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong - To amplify citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to mainland Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative for up to 20 participants from mainland China and Hong Kong”.

NED Annual Report 2014
Asia Regional Grants

NED Annual Report 2014
Asia Regional Grants to Hong Kong
to amplify citizen's voices.

Can you explain to the Hong Kong people what this money was spent on? 

3. Is the US Government funding the independence movement in Hong Kong?

In March 2016, your staff held a secret meeting with leaders of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, including Edward Leung Tin-kei and Ray Wong Toi-yeung.

SCMP report on secret meeting with US consular staff in March 2016

SCMP report on secret meeting with US consular staff in March 2016

Your predecessor Gary Hart refused to disclose the truth about this meeting. What we want to know, on behalf of the Hong Kong people is this - is the American government funding the Hong Kong independence movement?

After you have answered these questions, you might wish to explain to the American public how their taxpayer dollars are being spent, because using American Government funds the NED has worked incessantly to undermine and destabilize Hong Kong, making it almost ungovernable.

To achieve your government's goals, the NED has bribed our politicians, corrupted our institutions and attacked the very fabric of our society, including using school children to fight your battles, so  if your claim that America aims to maintain the ‘one country, two systems’ is true, then Hong Kong’s enemy and the evil you need to confront is the NED, so the solutions to Hong Kong’s problems lie not in Hong Kong or China, but in reforming your own government.

References

Hong Kong Standard. US envoy Tong urges HK to safeguard 'one country, two systems' and not lose it. 22 September 2016. Link: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news.php?id=79854

National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Annual Report 2012. Grants to Asia – China (Hong Kong) in 2012.

National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Annual Report 2014. Grants to Asia – Asia Regional. Hong Kong in 2014.

SCMP. ‘Not some kind of secret meeting’: Hong Kong Indigenous leaders meet with American diplomats. 10 March 2016. Link: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1922922/not-some-kind-secret-meeting-hong-kong-indigenous-leaders