Young masked protesters in black have caused chaos in China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) in recent weeks, changing the course of their lives while turning the protests against the extradition bill into a war against peace, law-based governance, and the whole of Hong Kong.

Since June 9, more than 420 people have been arrested for illegal acts, leaving a mark of shame on their lives as well as local history.

Used as cannon fodder by external forces, many of the protesters are young people and students, who have joined radicals in wrongdoings such as smashing public property, setting fires, spreading online rumors and participating in riots.

As revealed in the Hong Kong Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on July 31, the 45 defendants taken before the courts for charges including rioting, assaulting police officers, and possession of offensive weapons, included a 13-year-old teenager, 20-year-old student, and a young couple who were engaged.

No matter their age, these people must face the law due to their involvement in the violent clashes.

Under the slogan of “achieving justice by violating the law” created by the opposition, these inexperienced protesters have been guided down a dangerous path where they can no longer tell right and wrong while chanting “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”.

As the line from an ancient Chinese poem goes, “One single slip brings eternal regret, and looking back, your whole life has passed away.” These young protesters, who have been cared for under the Hong Kong government and have reaped the benefits of the “one country, two systems” principle, but now attempt to destabilize the government and abandon the fundamental basis of the “one country” principle, have risked their youth to instigate violence, and changed their lives forever.

The tune of youth should be brisk and full of joy, vitality and positive energy, while the song of life should be energetic, enterprising, and filled with determination and courage to strive for success.

If the youth in Hong Kong have different opinions on issues concerning people’s livelihood, they can participate in political affairs, for which the Hong Kong government has offered platforms. If they want to secure a better life, they can’t just expect others to hand it over, but should learn from those who have succeeded through hard work.

Those young protesters, who are in the golden period of their lives, should quit the impulsive rage and turn themselves into strivers and constructors, to leave no regrets in youth and embrace a wonderful future.