FADE IN.
INT. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT - DAY
Sitting in a waiting area, PETER is checking his phone.
PETER (V.O.)
Here's a rather naive
question that requested
my answer. As it was
asked, someone might
have the same query too.
Let me answer it.
We see on his phone screen the question -
Why is China not requesting the UN to solve the Hong Kong issue?
And typefaces appearing on the screen.
UN Charter 1945. Every State is legally obliged to settle international disputes peacefully under Article 2(3) of the UN Charter 1945. International disputes can be between States and non-state actors eg holders of the right of self-determination.
Resolution 2908. Upon China's request in 1972, Hong Kong was removed from the UN's List of Non-Self-Governing Territories under General Assembly Resolution 2908 to the effect that Hong Kong was not eligible to the right of self-determination.
1960 Declaration. With international acquiescence, the British colonial Hong Kong people lost their right of independence under UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples 1960).
Hong Kong issue. The 2019 Hong Kong issue on separation from China is actually about the protesters' desire to revive the dead issue of Hong Kong's independence, which became China's domestic affairs, when Hong Kong rejoined the motherland.
UN role. UN is an international institution tasked with maintaining international peace and security. The task of maintaining Hong Kong's peace and security falls squarely with Hong Kong, China, with its high degree of autonomy from China.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
These issues were dear
to my heart when I began
studying my first LLM in
international law from
1985. I chose to study
International Protection
of Human Rights.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
When I graduated from
UCL with my second
LLM in International law
in 1987, I actually took
the initiative to talk to
a Law Officer of the
Legal Department about
the need to enact human
rights legislation.
FLASHBACK
INT. LEGAL DEPARTMENT - DAY 1987
Peter (33) in suit talks and a GENTLEMAN (late 50s) in suit.
PETER
Although the International
Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights has been
applying to Hong Kong
since 1976, there hasn't
been any statutory Hong
Kong law giving effect to
the Covenant.
GENTLEMAN
Just don't talk about it.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd) I did transfer what I knew
on international law in
part-time lecturing until
the early 1990s.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It has never occurred to
me that I can now do
knowledge transfer via
Quora now.
Having re-reading and editing his answer, Peter taps: Submit.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Peter seems enjoying his phone screen more than the food on the table.
PETER (V.O.)
Here's a requested
question wanting to
know how Hong Kong
people live in 2008.
Then it was an international
crisis. Now it's self -
induced.
We see the question on Peter's phone screen-
How did the people of Hong Kong, victims of the 2009 crisis, live?
Having researched by phone, Peter types his answer-
Suicide number. In a population of around 7 million in 2008, 114 people killed themselves.
Bank guarantee. All bank deposits without ceiling were guaranteed by the Hong Kong Government.
Loan guarantee. Another US$12.8 billion loan guarantee helped unfreeze credit for enterprises.
Job creation. Through fast-tracking infrastructural projects, around 60,000 jobs were created.
Economic growth. Hong Kong's 2008 economic growth slowed to 2.4% from 2007's 6.4%.
Moved on. Adapting themselves to adversities, the people of Hong Kong moved on, as usual.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Yes, these're some of the
basic things the Govt
has to do for another
Hong Kong revival if the
worse comes to the worst.
Peter taps: Submit.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Working behind the computer, Peter watches BBC news.
PETER (V.O.)
Their commentator has to
admit a calmer Hong Kong
today. Now the protests in
UK have more news value
than Hong Kong...
FADE OUT.
THE END