Hong Kong

[Rum]

As many of you might remember I spent the first 19 years of my life in HK. I loved it then and still do so I follow events there closely.

You can’t have missed the news that for weeks now there has been civil strife in the ex colony.

Brief summary for those who understandably don’t know the ins and outs, but in 97 when the crown colony was handed back to China a system nicknamed ‘one country two systems’ was agreed. The idea was that HKers would be allowed the same civil liberties, including the British justice system and rule of law, voting for the legislators etc. as they were under the British and things business wise would also be allowed to continue as previously over a 40 period, so the plan goes, HK would slowly be absorbed into China and its communist dictatorship system.

This current round of civil unrest began when the legal legislature tried to introduce an extradition law which would allow people arrested in HK to be extradited to China (those who ‘disappear’ in less formal ways are often never seen again). It wa seen as the thin end of the wedge and against the two systems spirit.

The protesters have expanded over the last couple of months and the agenda has widened, there’s a strong pro-democracy movement, an independence movement and others, not to mention large numbers of under 25s with no chance of ever having their own place to live (for an eye watering experience look up land prices in Hk!)

My whole family watched the handover on tv and there were tears in all our eyes. But I see no way the protesters have a chance of making a dent in the iron plated politburo of China. The PLO coukd walk in and dominate the place completely in a few hours.

China is on the rise.


Thoughts?

[laklak]

Those Chinee are going to eat the entire world, one bear gall bladder at a time.

[JimC]

At some point, the Party will say enough is enough, and the Red Army divisions will move...

Brave buggers, but on a highway to nowhere, I suspect...

[pErvinalia]

We saw what happened in Tiananmen.

[Svartalf]

I'm not sure the current gummint will want to afford the media poison that a reedition of Tian an Men would be, but yeah, when they've had enough, the repression will take place, and it won't be pretty.

[Sean Hayden]

Geesh, I was only joking when I said it's the CIA.

[Sean Hayden]

Seriously though, they are impressive. It must be terrifying.

[JimC]

If they truly think that China will let Hong Kong declare independence, they have to be living in fantasy land. Evil empires don't back down...

[Sean Hayden]

Who, the CIA? They've succeeded if China can be provoked to use force; can't have you guys let up on the "evil empire" bit.

[Sean Hayden]

Do evil empires normally exercise this much care in dealing with such widespread protests? These fuckers shut down an airport ffs.

Evil empire to evil empire: we might learn a thing or two from these guys.

[Sean Hayden]

Hong Kong protests: Rival demonstrations spread across globe

Protests over the Hong Kong democracy movement have spread across the globe, with rallies taking place in the UK, France, US, Canada and Australia.

In Vancouver, Toronto and London, demonstrators were confronted by pro-Beijing rallies.

Hundreds also protested in Sydney's Belmore Park on Sunday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-49388822

[JimC]

Do evil empires normally exercise this much care in dealing with such widespread protests? These fuckers shut down an airport ffs.

Evil empire to evil empire: we might learn a thing or two from these guys.

I think that the protesters have been foolish and somewhat irresponsible in their actions, and have no chance in hell of achieving independence, or even any more autonomy than they already have. However, it's also abundantly clear that China is an authoritarian state, one that is doing a variety of nasty things to minority groups such as the Uighars (sp?). It's not beyond the pale to term them an evil empire...

I agree that China has shown somewhat more patience than I would have expected. Possibly, they are waiting until most people in Hong Kong are tired of the disruption and economic downturn caused by the protests, so that intervention will not be resented as much.

[Hermit]

Do evil empires normally exercise this much care in dealing with such widespread protests? These fuckers shut down an airport ffs.

Evil empire to evil empire: we might learn a thing or two from these guys.

China lined up their armoured cars outside the city gates before you even posted this. I predict that if Hong Kong's internal security forces fail to get the protesters off the streets within the next fortnight or thereabouts, the Chinese army will - Tienanmen Square style.

[Sean Hayden]

Do evil empires normally exercise this much care in dealing with such widespread protests? These fuckers shut down an airport ffs.

Evil empire to evil empire: we might learn a thing or two from these guys.

I think that the protesters have been foolish and somewhat irresponsible in their actions, and have no chance in hell of achieving independence, or even any more autonomy than they already have. However, it's also abundantly clear that China is an authoritarian state, one that is doing a variety of nasty things to minority groups such as the Uighars (sp?). It's not beyond the pale to term them an evil empire...

I agree that China has shown somewhat more patience than I would have expected. Possibly, they are waiting until most people in Hong Kong are tired of the disruption and economic downturn caused by the protests, so that intervention will not be resented as much.

I admire the protesters. Your criteria for declaring China evil leaves your own country somewhat exposed.

[Sean Hayden]

Do evil empires normally exercise this much care in dealing with such widespread protests? These fuckers shut down an airport ffs.

Evil empire to evil empire: we might learn a thing or two from these guys.

China lined up their armoured cars outside the city gates before you even posted this. I predict that if Hong Kong's internal security forces fail to get the protesters off the streets within the next fortnight or thereabouts, the Chinese army will - Tienanmen Square style.

That will be unfortunate. But it's hardly evidence of evil. They have been incredibly patient so far, haven't they?