Speaking to a press conference in Beijing, Chen Zuo'er, director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies claimed that "Occupy Central" was in essence a "Hong Kong version of a color revolution" which is a conspiracy to undermine China's political system.

A so-called "color revolution" is actually the symbolically named series of uprisings in former Soviet Union member states and the Middle East. Although taking place in different countries, all these revolutions share one thing in common - mass destruction and wanton disregard for the rule of law. The "Occupy" campaign in Hong Kong has greatly affected social stability and taken a heavy toll on businesses. The collateral damage caused by the campaign may be impossible to calculate.

Color revolutions usually have fancy names - "Rose Revolution" in Georgia, "Orange" in Ukraine and "Tulip" in Kyrgyzstan. More recently, there was the "Jasmine Revolution" in the Middle East and the "Sunflower Movement" in Taiwan. But in reality, these movements were poison laced with honey.

It is worth noting that since the illegal "Occupy" movement launched on Sept 29, "umbrella revolution" - a completely newly-coined term - has popped up from nowhere. Is this purely a coincidence? The answer is definitely no. For all-weather protesters in Hong Kong, the umbrella is a handy tool to shield themselves from sizzling sun, the rain and pepper spray. But all of a sudden, dubbed by the Western media as the "umbrella revolution", the object becomes a red-hot political symbol which spread like a virus. This inevitably reminds us of the color revolutions that shattered former Soviet Union member states, and the Arab Spring that runs wild across the Middle East.

The way "Occupy" evolved and unfolded, in retrospect, strongly indicates that the protests were spurred on by external forces, who aim to trigger a "color revolution" that ignites in Hong Kong but spreads to the mainland. A case in point is that many politicians and media in the West - with perceived hostility, wasted no time adding fuel to the fire as "Occupy" escalated.

At this make-or-break moment in Hong Kong, with forthcoming universal suffrage at stake, all clear-minded people should realize it is in the best interest of Hong Kong society if "Occupy" fizzles out sooner rather than later. Democracy and the rule of law are the two pillars that ensure Hong Kong is a rule-based society.

The city's prosperity and stability rest heavily on whether all stakeholders can find a solution that prevents the city being torn apart. In this regard, no one can be completely protected by chaotic street politics, and law and order is the best guarantee.

(HK Edition 10/15/2014 page1)