Robert Chow

Robert Chow Yung (Chinese: 周融; born 22 April 1950),^[1][2] BBS,^[3] is a Hong Kong journalist and media personality who is a former RTHK radio host.^[4] He is currently the spokesman of the pro-Beijing conservative Alliance for Peace and Democracy and one of the six founders of the Silent Majority for Hong Kong movement^[5] which opposes the Occupy Central with Love and Peace Movement.^[1] He was also a Vice Patron of The Community Chest of Hong Kong.^[6]

Early life

Chow studied up to the Form Five level of school education.^[7][8]

In 1967, at the age of 17, Chow started his career as a reporter for the now-defunct local tabloid The Star. In 1970, he was made a news editor at The Star.

In 1974, Chow started working in the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and became chief information officer in 1980.

In 1985, he became the editor-in-chief of The Standard, and worked there until the 1990s.^[1]

Chow began to attract attention from the Hong Kong media when he was appointed as a programme-host in RTHK in 1999,^[1] and was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong Government in 2006 for his contributions to public and community service, especially in the media sector.^[9] He was asked to leave RTHK in 2011 together with Ng Chi Sum, another media personality.^[10][11]

Controversy

The Anti-Occupy Central Parade

In July 2014, Chow, as the Spokesperson of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy, is accused of offering people "free-meals and other treats" in an attempt to boost the turnout of the Anti-Occupy Central Parade. "We want to tell the world that there is another voice in Hong Kong, other than just that of the Occupy Central protesters," Chow says. "Some people may not like the government policies … but most still want peace and harmony. They don't want to see violence, chaos and turmoil."^[12] In response to this allegation, Chow stated that it is acceptable to distribute lunch boxes to groups joining the parade as a token of gratitude to them.^[12][13]

British "right of abode" issue

In 2014, Chow is discovered by the media to be in possession of a right of abode in Britain.^[14] Some Hong Kong media found this ironic considering Chow's profile and frequent claims to be a patriotic Chinese citizen.^[1] Chow, however, denied being in possession of a British passport.^[15] He initially stated that it was not possible to voluntarily renounce his British right to abode, acquired in the 1990s as part of British Nationality Selection Scheme.^[16] Later, he backtracked saying that he is working with a lawyer to completely give up the rights.^[17]

The "white terror" tactics

In September 2014, Chow announced that his organisation had set up a telephone hotline for public to call in and inform the names of students who boycott classes. It was widely condemned by the public of Hong Kong and portrayed as white terror. It was seen similar to tactics employed by the Communist Party during the Cultural revolution, asking people to betray their close friends. It was also condemned by other pro-Beijing political groups within Hong Kong. Following this, it was soon withdrawn.^{[18][19][20][21]}

References

• This article draws some information from the corresponding article in Chinese Wikipedia.