Irrational, illegal acts should stop

There are some people, even some powers from foreign countries, behind the "Occupy Central" activities, providing support and resources. It is a dictatorship of democracy to fight for democracy at the cost of law and order. I cannot accept that young students are being used as a tool by the people behind them to tear apart Hong Kong society and thwart Hong Kong's development. I believe there are still opportunities for dialogue between the student union and the government. The deadlock now does neither side any good.

Rita Fan, member of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, Nov 18

For the uncertain, dreamed, take-for-granted and imponderable future, the "Occupy Central" protesters have exacted a real, existing, certain and ponderable price. This seems not the way capitalist Hong Kong people should behave. "Occupy Central" has its balance sheet. If it continues, the cost will dwarf its benefits. The debit side is building up rapidly with each passing day until no one will dare to promise the campaign's benefits will cover its costs. Then the protest will lose its rationality completely. Their irrational and illegal struggle for rights harms the whole society and is against the overall trend of the times which emphasizes law and order.