Hong Kong Student’s Anti-government Rant Goes Viral

A student is taking social media in Hong Kong by storm after unleashing an anti-government rant before a legislative council meeting.

Kwam Yong-yi’s tirade on the administration of CY Leung was posted to YouTube minutes after her microphone went off. Within 48 hours, the Cantonese-language video had been viewed 300,000 times. By now, you can find an English-subtitled version of it, as well as a rap-version of her speech online.

The student’s three-minute rant appealed to the sentiments of many ordinary Hong Kongers fed up with what they see as a pro-establishment government that’s limiting their rights.

Kwam’s criticism may have appealed to the masses because it was generally free of political rhetoric, yet loaded with witty remarks that anyone across the societal spectrum could relate to.

Her verbal assault touched on many key talking points such as pension schemes, government corruption, and the state of security forces.

She said, “Your so-called ‘universal’ retirement plan puts an HK$80,000 asset limit on applicants but only offers them a paltry payment of HK$3,230 per month. Are you kidding me? There is so much government-business collusion and inflation these days that we can’t even buy a catty of contaminated vegetables for HK$30!”

The legislative meeting was held to discuss retirement plans, but Kwam was sure to raise other points of public concern

“The ethical standards for the government and the police are as ‘flexible’ as the arm of the officer who hit passers-by with his baton and called it an ‘extension of his arm’. Lawmakers are permitted to spread unfounded rumors in Legco, like the one about one of the abducted booksellers taking a speedboat to China to procure prostitution.”

Nonetheless, Kwan received some criticism. Moderates thought she was too aggressive, while radicals thought she held back too much.  

But it’s no doubt she is appealing to a growing mass of frustrated citizens who have been experiencing a political and social awakening since the Occupy Movement brought them out into the streets, to unify against the injustice they see.  .