Act Now (in Chinese: , literally "set sail") is a slogan proposed by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, on May 29, 2010, with the meaning of "it's time to take action". It served as the theme for the promotion of the 2012 political reform proposal. In the logo of "Act Now", the color blue represents the ocean, and the stroke of the Chinese character "" resembles a ship sailing in the sea, symbolizing setting sail and embarking on a journey. The slogan aimed to encourage Hong Kong citizens to support the political reform proposal put forward by the government in 2012. However, some opponents changed "" ("Act Now") to "" ("All Wrong") to express their dissatisfaction. After about a month of "Act Now" promotion, the proposal was ultimately approved on June 24 and 25.
Background
After the rejection of the political reform proposal in 2005, although the Hong Kong government published a Green Paper on constitutional development in 2007, Subsequently, the pan-democrats initiated the Umbrella Movement in 2012 to rally public support. Two months later, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) issued the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Issues Relating to the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012 and on Issues Relating to Universal Suffrage", rejecting the pan-democrats' proposal for dual universal suffrage in 2012 but stipulating that the Chief Executive election in 2017 and the Legislative Council election in 2020 could be conducted through universal suffrage. On the day the decision was announced, the pan-democrats organized a protest march against the NPC's rejection of universal suffrage, and Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee went on a hunger strike in protest. In 2008, the Hong Kong Human Rights Front launched a large-scale march to continue advocating for dual universal suffrage in 2012. In 2009, the Bureau for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam pointed out the need for a gradual approach to universal suffrage. On November 18, the Hong Kong government released the "Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012", seeking public opinion.
In early 2010, the Power for Democracy and the pan-democrats jointly organized the "Restore Universal Suffrage" New Year's Day march, continuing their advocacy for universal suffrage. Meanwhile, the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats officially launched the "Five Constituencies Referendum" in an attempt to gain public support through the 2010 Hong Kong Legislative Council by-elections, aiming to achieve the goal of "achieving genuine universal suffrage as soon as possible and abolishing functional constituencies". Eventually, all resigned members returned to the Legislative Council. Subsequently, the Democratic Party, leading the opposition to the resignation plan, along with other pan-democratic members such as the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, formed the Ultimate Universal Suffrage Alliance. They met with Li Gang, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, to seek consensus on issues such as universal suffrage. Later, the Hong Kong government vigorously promoted political reform, releasing several advertisements to promote the reform. Some newspapers also reported that the government would launch the "largest mass movement since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region".
Propaganda
First stage of propaganda
On May 28, 2010, "Act Now" ()advertisements first appeared in various MTR stations. Chief Executive Donald Tsang described Hong Kong as a ship sailing towards the goal of universal suffrage in his "Letter to Hong Kong", vowing that rejecting political reform would waste ten years of effort.
On May 29, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang and Financial Secretary John Tsang wore T-shirts with the words "Act Now" and distributed flyers at Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay to promote the political reform. Some citizens discarded the received "Act Now" pamphlets in trash bins, while others commented, "Officials can put aside their status to come to the community, showing that the accountability team is doing practical things". Chief Executive Donald Tsang, along with Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau, wore T-shirts with the words "Hong Kong Act Now" and distributed flyers at Pacific Place in Admiralty. During this event, "Victoria Park Big Brother" Edward Yum and former secretary-general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, Crystal Chow, approached to protest. Some foreigners who received "Act Now" leaflets claimed they would support the political reform but were questioned by Sun Daily about whether it was arranged by the Hong Kong government. Later, Donald Tsang boarded an open-top bus to continue the political reform promotion in Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay, receiving cheers from some citizens. Subsequently, Tsang and a group of officials arrived in Sha Tin Town Hall but were temporarily surrounded by protesters. Some citizens shouted slogans like "Oppose the bad plan, reject functional constituencies". Chik Pun Shing, a member of the Professional Teachers' Union, questioned John Tsang about how this political reform proposal is more democratic than the previous one. Tsang responded with a simple "Thank you", and when asked what he was thanking for, he replied, "Thank you for being loud", before entering the Sha Tin Town Hall. At that moment, there were no protesters surrounding them, only Chik Pun Shing, John Tsang, and reporters. Some citizens who received flyers questioned Donald Tsang, "Act Now? Where to go after acting?" referring to the destination after taking action, but Tsang did not respond to the question. Later, Tsang met with the media and led a group of officials in shouting the "Act Now" slogan. The officials were laughing and unevenly chanting the slogan, while some remained unresponsive. On the same day, the Hong Kong government established the "Act Now" group on Facebook to promote political reform and released promotional videos featuring three Executive Council members, Rita Lau, Rita Fan, and Ronald Arculli, supporting "Act Now".
On May 30, Donald Tsang appealed to citizens in the radio program "A Letter to Hong Kong", urging them to express their unwillingness for the political system to stand still to their respective district legislators. On May 31, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam attended a special meeting of the Sham Shui Po District Council, chanting slogans such as "Hong Kong, democracy, Act Now". Members of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Alliance for Moving Forward also joined in. Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung wore an "Act Now" pin at the award ceremony for the University Student Internship Program to promote political reform. Financial Secretary John Tsang and Political Assistant to the Labour and Welfare Bureau Zandra Mok distributed leaflets in Central. Deputy Secretary for Education Kenneth Chen engaged in discussions with students on the topic of political reform at the HKSYCIA Wong Tai Shan Memorial College.
On June 1, Financial Secretary John Tsang went to the Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School to continue promoting the political reform proposal, encountering teachers raising cardboard signs with the words "" (All Wrong) to express opposition. Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So, Political Assistant to the Secretary for Education Jeremy Young, and Political Assistant to the Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui distributed "Act Now" leaflets in Wong Tai Sin. Meanwhile, Secretary for Education Michael Suen promoted political reform by wearing an "Act Now" pin at the Po Leung Kuk 60th Year Directors' Lunch held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
On June 2, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng distributed "Act Now" pins at the Temple Centre. Secretary for the Civil Service Denise Yue had his "Act Now" pin upside down while promoting political reform. Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee momentarily forgot to fasten his "Act Now" pin at an event, while Secretary for Development Carrie Lam consistently wore her "Act Now" pin during the same occasion. On June 3, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau met with District Council Chairman of Tuen Mun Lau Wong-fat and other district councillors to explain the purpose of the "Act Now" campaign and distribute political reform promotional materials in the community. On June 4, Financial Secretary John Tsang promoted "Act Now" at the Hong Kong Institute of Directors luncheon. On June 5, inventor "Son of Stars" Chan Yik-hei, former TVB anchor and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Dr. Louisa Wong, and Hong Kong football legend Chan Siu Ki called on citizens to support "Act Now" in a new promotional video.
Second stage of propaganda