A series of student strikes and protests erupted in Hong Kong surrounding the thorny issue of electoral reform. Just weeks after the Chinese government announced that the next Hong Kong chief executive would have to be nominated by a pre-screened committee, over 80,000 protesters participated in an occupation of the Central Business district, and have threatened to move on government buildings if their demands are not met.
Though Hong Kong is an integral part of China, it is afforded rights and privileges not given in mainland China, including the right to protest and demonstrate freely. Hong Kong was a British Colony from 1897-1997, during which time it developed a legal, political, and social system that differed from those used by the Communist of this fact, the Chinese government agreed with Britain in 1984 in the joint Sino-British Declaration that upon the proposed handover Hong Kong, would, “enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs”
Under this system, Hong Kong has continued to be governed largely separately from the rest of China. A host of freedoms and privileges not available in other parts of China are available to the people of Hong Kong, and almost 20 years after the handover significant cultural and political differences distinguish many Hong Kong Chinese from Mainland Chinese. Furthermore, under the agreement, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, unlike other parts of China, is not to be directly chosen by Beijing, but instead “appointed by the Central People’s Government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally.”
Under the previous system, this entailed an electoral college of 800-1,200 prominent Hong Kong residents choosing a chief executive and voting amongst themselves. Critics contend, however, that the majority of the people on the 1,200-person committee were more loyal to Beijing than the people of Hong Kong. Groups that identify as “pro-democracy,” such as the Hong Kong Federation of Students, have long lobbied the central government to allow citizens of Hong Kong to elect their Chief executive on the basis of “one person, one vote”.
Article 45 of Hong Kong’s basic law under Chinese rule states that, “The ultimate aim[of the government] is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.” According to the protesters, that means Beijing reneged on it’s commitment when it decided upon the new election plan, which involves citizens voting on two to three candidates selected by the current electoral college.
However, the exact parameters of Beijing’s commitment is debated by the protest’s detractors. Some have argued that the use of nominating committee is in line with democratic procedure used in many countries, and that the new scheme will allow Hong Kong’s citizens to participate in the governance of their city more than the current plan.
Furthermore, many citizens of Hong Kong are frustrated with the continued occupation of public space, which they view as an illegal and unnecessary disruption. A group called the Silent Majority for Hong Kong has held counter protests, contending that the majority of people in Hong Kong oppose the protests and accept the new process put in place by Beijing.
The Hong Kong government and protesters were expected to meet to negotiate an end to the crisis, but a series of clashes between protesters and counter protesters Friday night led the Student Leaders to cancel their planned meeting with the Hong Kong government. They intend to remain where they are, and for the foreseeable future, it seems unlikely that anything will make them move. •
