A pastor's year on the frontlines in Hong Kong

Protesters in Hong Kong. Photo by Oscar Chan/Creative Commons.

HONG KONG — When 69-year-old Chan Young-man began appearing at Hong Kong’s anti-extradition demonstrations, public prayer meetings and the frontlines of protests reporting as a citizen journalist, pro-Beijing media dubbed him the “riotous pastor.”

In May 2019, Chan had joined 29 other pastors to start a petition to withdraw the proposed extradition bill with China that would put dissidents at risk of unfair trials and detention. That bill was withdrawn in September only after 2 million Hong Kongers protested in the streets for months. When the Hong Kong government ignored the protesters’ other demands-- for a commission of inquiry into police violence, amnesty for arrested protestors, retraction of characterizing protests as riots and universal suffrage-- violence on both sides escalated.  

Then on June 30, an hour before the anniversary when the British handed over the city to China with an agreement to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy, Beijing passed a new wide-ranging security law that greatly reduces the city’s autonomy and makes it easier for the government to punish protesters. Some commentators are calling the new law the end of Hong Kong.

Over the past year in the political turmoil, Christians in Hong Kong have been forced to decide whether or how to engage in protests that are fueled by frustration, outrage and sometimes violence. 

"I want to be present," says Chan, "I thought of Jesus saying these people [young protestors] are like sheep without a shepherd, being harassed and oppressed. I am a pastor. I ought to join close to them; not necessarily support their every action but I have to understand their heartcry.”

In summer 2019, an estimated 2 million people protested at the height of protests in Hong Kong on June 16, 2019. Photo by Oscar Chan/Creative Commons.

In the face of a variety of weapons deployed by police — tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, sponge grenades, water cannons, pepper balls, batons and even live rounds on multiple occasions — some protestors resorted to building barricades, vandalizing buildings and throwing Molotov cocktails.  

Chan regards himself as a "staunch supporter" of peaceful protests but says he understands that frustration and anger grew among protestors because the government ignored and failed to respond to people's voices. 

"Some people who are pious to that extent would say a crime is a crime. You [protestors] commit a crime, and you pay the price," says Chan. "But you [protestors] do not pay the price before you go to court. You do not become beaten up and then charged in a very unjust way."

As of May 2020, 8,981 arrests were made in connection to the protests. Among them, 1,707 were under the age of 18, including 1,602 secondary students and eight primary school students; 5,640 arrestees were between 18 and 30 years old, according to South China Morning Post. 

Police brutality has been well-documented. Veby Mega Indah, an Indonesian journalist, had one eye blinded as police fired rubber bullets in her face when she was covering a protest. The Hong Kong government, nevertheless, refuses to allow an independent investigation into excessive use of force and other alleged police misconduct like arbitrary and unwarranted arrests, as well torture and sexual abuse of detainees. 

The injustice and violence reminds Chan of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:38: "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." He says that means people should not retaliate angrily and seek revenge. 

Police have used teargas to disperse protesters in Hong Kong. Photo by Oscar Chan/Creative Commons.

"But Jesus is not advocating becoming a doormat, and nor can we use that to justify those who are authorized by the law to use any kind of force but do not give account to that," he adds. He also stresses that one has to be careful when citing scriptures to support their acts. 

A memorable encounter Chan had while visiting the protests was a kindergarten-aged girl crying after being teargassed. 

The protests have unprecedentedly polarized Hong Kong, and that polarization is also dividing church congregations. Some are leaving churches after arguments about whether to protest.

Chan tries to avoid political opinions in church and teaches from the Bible, encouraging people to revere Jesus and live out Christian values. He does not name political figures. 

"The most contentious preaching that I had in this past year is that I honor Christ above all else, that he is number one; there is no other God before him,” he says. “Every knee shall bow. Every nation will eventually give account to Him and bow down before him. Of course, this may carry serious political overtones, but then they are Bible principles." 

While some members think it is inappropriate for their pastors to bring concerns over the movement and police brutality into church, others will be disappointed if pastors behave as if nothing has happened in Hong Kong. 

Chan sees a need for congregations to speak openly with each other to resolve disputes based on a trusting relationship and the gospel. Before that, the leadership should be able to speak freely among themselves.  

Protesters in Hong Kong in 2019. Photo by Oscar Chan/Creative Commons.

Beijing's new national security law in Hong Kong particularly concerns many Christians because of its ambiguous and far-reaching offenses: secession (breaking away from the country), subversion (undermining the power of the central government), terrorism (using violence and intimidation against people) and collusion with foreign countries or powers.

"If the central government would allow the churches to run businesses as usual, then maybe the law would not have such a strong bearing on them,” Chan says, “but if the Central government wants to silence the Christian voices, then the law could become a sharp tool in their hand."  

Although the impacts of the law are not yet apparent, Chan says he has an impression that some churches might avoid touching upon scriptures that could have political implications, including the sovereignty and kingship of Christ and revelations of Jesus returning to rule, including the apocalyptic collapse of great cities like Rome and Babylon. 

To many, it feels like Hong Kong is collapsing. Violent clashes with police, anxiety about the future and traumas from last year have exhausted many. Chan tells young people to stay hopeful and humble, to look upon Christ when seeking ideals. 

"If Hong Kong people are losing hope today, we are destroying ourselves even before the others destroy us," he says.  

Shuk Wa Cheng is a journalism student at Hong Kong Baptist University.