Hong Kong's Communist leader tells citizens to act like sheep for their own good

(NaturalNews) Tyrants throughout history have all wanted two things from those they mean to rule: blind loyalty and absolute obedience.

That is no different today, as evidenced by recent comments from Hong Kong's unpopular communist chief executive. In a recent speech, he had some advice for residents of the Asian metropolis: Be more "like sheep" -- advice that did not sit well with the city's pro-democracy reformers.

In a brief video address commemorating the beginning of the "Year of the Sheep," part of the Chinese new year, CY Leung that sheep-like behavior from the population was necessary following the disruption caused by street protests last year.

"Last year was no easy ride for Hong Kong. Our society was rife with differences and conflicts," said Leung, chief executive of the former British colony, as reported by Britain's Telegraph newspaper.

Calmer and more compliant

"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."

To ensure that his meaning was fully understood, Leung continued by noting that the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac have individual "character types," adding: "Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals living peacefully in groups."

As you can imagine, pro-democracy reformers were livid, and their reaction was swift and predictable.

"He has every intention of gobbling up Hong Kong for his Beijing master," Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy legislator, told the paper, noting that Leung's many critics have long known him as "the wolf."

Mo added that Leung has a long record of being tactless. "Once he told his supporters that if others have different opinions [they should] go and shout at them," she said.

Regarding Leung's reference to sheep, Alan Leong from the Civic Party, a pro-democracy group, said in an interview with CNN, "I think it's crazy, and he is sick."

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, political scientist Ma Ngok said Leung's comments were "not smart."

"He seems like he wants the people to blindly follow what he says like sheep following the shepherd," Ngok said. "And CY Leung preaching more peace is kind of ironic because many people see him as the guy causing a lot of conflicts in Hong Kong."

The Telegraph further reported:

A 2012 profile of Mr Leung by China's state-run media suggests Hong Kong's leader once placed greater value on characteristics usually associated with the outgoing Year of the Horse.

The pro-Beijing leader's impoverished childhood instilled in him "the importance of determination and perseverance," the profile said.

Obama as president of China?

Leung's remarks are similar to those of many leaders in the United States, including President Obama. In fact, he has said in the past that being president of authoritarian China, where no political opposition is permitted, would be "easier."

As reported by The New York Times, in a story about how Obama was seeking "pragmatism" in the Middle East during the rebellious time of the Arab Spring in 2011:

Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China. As one official put it, "No one is scrutinizing Hu Jintao's words in Tahrir Square."

As noted by William Kristol, who parsed Obama's meaning at The Weekly Standard, it sure would be "much easier" to be China's president:

If you're president of China, people around the world who are fighting for freedom don't really expect you to help. If you're president of China, you don't have to put up with annoying off-year congressional elections, and then negotiate your budget with a bunch of gun-and-religion-clinging congressmen and senators. If you're president of China, you can fund your national public radio to your heart's content. And if you're president of China, when you host a conference on bullying in schools, people take you seriously.

That any U.S. president would even vaguely reference being the leader of a regime that jails and kills political opponents is disturbing.

Sources:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

http://edition.cnn.com

http://rthk.hk

http://www.weeklystandard.com

http://www.nytimes.com