Politics for Beginners: Hong Kong Riots

Though China is one of the United States’ greatest trading partners and economic allies, American citizens have been kept in the dark about what really goes on in this codependent relationship. The media tends not to criticize much of what happens in China. Many theorize it is because of the backlash that the United States would receive while others assume it is just a desire for ignorance, making it easier for citizens to buy cheaply made goods. Hong Kong, one of China＊s most prominent and well-known cities, has recently made the news for a number of protests, however the concealment of these protests from the media and public eye has been unsuccessful.

Before examining the protests it is necessary to shed light on the Hong Kong political system. Hong Kong has far more freedom than the Mainland China. This is known as Basic Laws which shows that Hong Kong is united with China as a country, but there are to be two systems of government. Hong Kong is perceived to have a more capitalistic economy and a more open political system than those of the rest of Mainland China under Bejing＊s control. 

The reason behind the current protests in Hong Kong is due to the failure to fulfill a promise to the citizens made for 2017, one to elect their own representatives through a large committee. China＊s National People＊s Congress, the ruling party of Mainland China, announced in late August that they would not allow a large committee. Instead the same reoccurring people would choose the officials elected. The issue stems from the fact that the committee will likely not include anybody from opposing parties, and will be limited to those who are for the exclusionary government, the end result being that resistant parties would be screened out.

Joshua Wong is one of the protest leaders, inciting his passion though his speeches and calling for the universal right to vote throughout Hong Kong. At just 17 years of age he has already become the face of the Hong Kong protests, and his passion shows that the next generation does not have the same drive for independence as he does. His main mission is to mobilize passive students under the belief that the government they have is acceptable. This student movement strikes fear in many as it has a mild resemblance to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Some worry that the government could turn violent against its people as it did years ago, resulting in the death of many students. The number of deaths grew from hundreds to thousands of people, their only crime asking for the right to vote for their own candidates.

The Hong Kong protestors have also been deemed some of the most polite protestors in history by doing as the signs tell them to, including keeping off the grass. They practice civil disobedience, refusing to incite violence. If something is done inappropriately, they apologize and leave their condolences for the issue at hand. Instead of battling tear gas with anger, they use umbrellas to cover their faces, still remaining faithful to their acts of disobedience. Joshua Wong has emphasized this non-violent disobedience through the set up of several talks with the student leaders, allowing them to have their say for universal suffrage and communicate with government officials. Despite this promise, the meetings have since been cancelled. The words of the protestors will continue to be forged on signs and in speeches; however the government has no interest in seeing them first hand to discuss what they are interested in. 

The protests in Hong Kong have had a call for more international involvement, but as of now it seems that the only involvement will be media coverage, of which there is less of every day. The most coverage is found on satirical news shows like The Colbert Report or The Daily Show. The lack of involvement of the international community is not shocking, as there are many other issues at hand in the world right now. The rise of the Islamic State and Ebola crossing into the borders of different countries are just two examples. Many protestors believe the day where many would fight for democracy has been overrun by the economic self-interest of leading countries. Without China as politically stable as it is now, the economy may no longer allow for cheaply made goods in Western countries. Some believe that should the protests turn violent, the chance for international intervention would be greater.