In 1997 the People's Republic of China and Great Britain signed a deal allowing the city of Hong Kong to fall under China's rule on a set of conditions. These conditions set up that the merger would create one country but two systems, giving Hong Kong a pseudo-City State within Chinese borders. As a result Hong Kong as remained as a much freer part of China as it did not have to comply with Beijing's orders, creating their own currency, maintaining their own trade, taxes, and even the ability to drive on the left. They are 7 million strong in a relatively small area and
In more recent times pressures has been mounting on Hong Kong from all sides of life from the PRC. People in surrounding areas frequently try to sneak into Hong Kong's borders to take advantage of the stricter regulations placed on baby formula and also to try and get medicare from the HK hospitals. The PRC's state owned media outlets have continuously published stories slamming the democratic Hong Kong labeling them as unruly children and Dogs of Britain. Currently HK's political system is 12,000 business owners who vote on how the city should be managed, a pro-business wet dream, but in more recent years these owners have set up shop or have delicate ties to mainland China leaving them skewed to give up liberties to keep operation in the newest emerging consumer base. HK has staged several protests this summer with some in attendance of 800,000, the PRC has become more blatent that they would not allow universal elections in HK and has staged counter protests, sent in pro-Beijing quell the huge supporters. There is going to be another pro-democracy rally in september and the PRC has prepared by Sending in PLA forces to remind Hong Kongers who has the power. Most of us remember how domocile and forgiving the PRC can be when it comes to peacefully putting down protests.
It seems that the days of democratic Hong Kong may be numbered, should we as a nation or as a people say anything to protest China's human rights abuse?
What might go down if things turn for the worst during their next march or occupy?
Two Things
2 hours ago
2 comments:
Just to forward this comment, are you missing part of what you're saying? Your last sentence in the first paragraph cuts off rather abruptly. Also, what even is "domocile?"
Regardless of that, I think you bring up a fascinating issue regarding the current and future state of China in relation to its general distaste with Hong King. A beacon of stability surrounded by what I believe to be the highly unstable, very "democratic," "land of opportunity" that is China, Hong Kong plays an absolutely paramount role in maintaining some sort of Chinese credence.
Though China remains notorious for what went down with Tiananmen, we still have to keep in mind that that was a different time. With China being perceived as sort of an economical giant (the bigger they are, the harder they fall), it must try harder to maintain a healthy image in order to keep foreign business, because realistically, if the U.S. stops buying TMNT action figures and miniature American flags from there, that would be problematic.
With the probable international outcry that would come from PRC human rights violations against Hong Kong, that would be simply another huge problem for it to deal with, on top of massive pollution and a dysfunctional government. Things probably won't become too ugly, but for the sake of Hong Kong, let's just hope that prediction stays true.
In all honesty, a confrontation between Hong Kong and China has probably in the making ever since the British signed the treaty that HK could once again be called Chinese territory. Maintaining a democratic society in the middle of a country where many of the ideas behind democracy are frowned upon (yes, Hong Kong is technically on the coast but let's just roll with it shall we?)
I agree with Christian and his point that as a world economic power, China must place some thought into what the countries they supply may think of their actions. While the US and China have become interdependent economically, should the PRC overstep their boundaries in attempting to stifle the protests currently going on in Hong Kong, I highly doubt that the United States would sit back and do nothing.
The current capitalistic friendly government that HK is run by may also end up hurting them in their fight for liberty because again as Christian has pointed out-a large consumer base resides in China, one that business owners would be fools not to tap into and as seen before in history, at time greed wins out over many more noble emotions. However, since it puts a few of their interests in line with China's it may prove to assist in a negotiation attempt (if there is one) because both sides will have a bargaining chip to bring to the table.
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