Yip Yat-chee | From Editor-in-Chief to Blogger—Speaking up for justice on the frontline
Yip Yat-chee, a pioneer in analysing current affairs and politics on social media. On his pages “Renegades’ Park” and the self-titled “Yip Yat-chee,” he uses a direct and precise writing style described as “killing without spilling blood” to influence generations of PRN (peaceful, rational, non-violent) readers.
“In the short term, resistances do not produce results; however, the chemistry of these historical events will build up and brew, only to explode when you least expect it.”
Journalist: Rita
Photographer: SL
I was born and raised in Hong Kong in the ’70s, and I am the youngest of six siblings.
I experienced the golden ’80s and ’90s when Hong Kong was the most prosperous. I witnessed the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests*[1] and the mass migration wave that followed during high school. After graduating from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hong Kong in 1998, I experienced the 2003 SARS outbreak and the 2014 Umbrella Movement, witnessing the regression of Hong Kong first-hand.
In recent years, the conditions have worsened, and the 2019 anti-extradition movement is even more tragic, exposing Hong Kong’s range of deeply rooted problems. I always say that I was born “in the gaps” of Hong Kong, having experienced both the good and the bad sides of it.
Starting from newspaper submissions
Since university, I have paid attention to current affairs. Born with a natural gravitation to speak up against injustice, I cannot hold my tongue about many things. I also enjoy expressing myself with words, so I began writing commentaries and submitting them to newspapers. Shortly after, I became the editor-in-chief for my university’s student press, debated with others through the columns, and earned a reputation as their most tenacious editor.
When the government attempted to amend Article 23*[2], I had just graduated from my masters in journalism at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, so I created promotional materials in my dormitory whenever I had free time. In comparison to today’s promotion materials, the ones back then were much more primitive. We were only handing out flyers in person, but today the messages are widespread with Lennon Walls in every district, not to mention the large-scale posters that cover entire walls!
On that note, I must say it was only because of the former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa that 500,000 people felt the need to take to the streets. He may be the first of many to inspire citizens to participate in large scale protests to fight for their demands!
Words that kill without spilling blood
Writing blogs became popular from the year 2005 onwards, so I created a blog called “Renegades’ Park” on Sina, and attracted some fans. I guess I’d call that the prototype of contemporary social media. Then, I switched to Facebook and opened a page called “Yip Yat-chee” (now with around 30 thousand likes) where I continued to write commentaries on social issues in my style of scorching rhetoric with a humorous satirical attitude.
I would not describe myself as a middle-aged version of an “Uncle of Victoria Park”*[3] who does not present logical arguments and only know how to make a scene. How is that productive? In contrast, the articles I write contain insightful and constructive viewpoints, and that is why people describe my writing style as one that “kills without spilling blood.”
I didn’t use to think I was influential in any way, but then I found out that many people have actually been paying attention to me since my work on “Renegades’ Park.” That is when I realised that although I’ve transitioned from a blog to a Facebook page and the presentation is different, I have still managed to unknowingly influence readers from different generations.
Hongkongers’ awakening
Some people say that I have a mysterious identity, but that is not actually the case. I began to act in a more low-profile manner a few years ago, after suffering from a serious illness and combined with diligent study of Buddhism, I have begun to hold myself aloof from worldly issues. Despite that, I still continue to write. When I come across media outlets with similar values, I try my best to support them.
The anti-extradition movement has awakened Hongkongers and increased their awareness of political issues, so people will naturally begin to look for interesting topics and authors. How I managed to regain public interest is completely circumstantial.
However, what puzzles me most is that even though my messages are simple, many people still do not understand them. It turns out that “common sense is not common.” For example, during the Umbrella Movement, I wrote an article called “Police Malignancy” which argues that the abuse of power in the police force is just like cancer cells—it is an uncontrollable force that spreads quickly. If left unchecked, even the police supporters will fall victim, and it’ll be too late when they realize it. Sadly, we have already passed the point of no return.
Changes since June
I am good with writing, so in this movement, I have taken on the role of a promotional materials influencer, or a ‘promotional materials frontliner.’ I logically analyse current affairs to bring together the PRNs and frontliners and achieve unity between the two divisive subgroups.
At the beginning of the anti-extradition movement, that is the petition in May and the call for a demonstration on 9 June, I used a more emotional appeal in my messages, for example, “Fight a war that will leave no regrets even if we lose.”
Other than participating in public discourse, what else can an ‘old fart’ like me do? All I can do is to work hard in publicising information.
From the beginning of the movement until today, I’m not sure how many people have been influenced by my articles, but the effect, to a certain extent, has met my expectations. Although the movement’s outcome has so far been tragic, it’s still better than everyone remaining apathetic and apolitical. Many Hongkongers have awoken.
In the short term, resistances do not produce results; however, the chemistry of these historical events will build up and brew, only to explode when you least expect it.
Words for young people
The movement has stretched on for over six months now, and I am deeply impressed by the frontliners, but I also recognise that not all young people have the ability to go to the frontlines.
My words to young people are to study more, to understand politics, the world, and the Chinese Communist Party. Only through enriching one’s knowledge will one succeed. In any case, the future belongs to young people and without knowledge, it will be difficult to turn ideas into reality. I also urge professionals like lawyers and doctors to step up and safeguard our society’s core values together.
Young people, don’t dwell on the immediate losses and gains, and don’t be disheartened—it is certainly difficult for a fragile egg to throw itself against a wall, but even metal will wear out, and one day so will the wall shake and crumble.
“I am Yip Yat-chee, I am a HKer.”
*[1] Also known as the 1989 Democracy Movement in China, protests escalated from the mourning of former General Secretary Hu Yaobang, and ended in bloodshed in the June Fourth Incident. On 4 June, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party sent the People’s Liberation Army to forcibly suppress the protests.
*[2] In 2003, the Hong Kong government attempted to pass laws against treason and secession in a vague manner that eroded human rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, and privacy which sparked a 500,000 strong demonstration. The government finally withdrew the amendment bill amidst the opposition.
*[3] The elderly who yell out their discontent about socio-political situations at the citizens’ forums, generally held in Victoria Park.
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