What a terrible thing Britain did to them. Giving them to Communist rule of China. No good could ever come from that. What a betrayal. China says you can elect your government officials but that have to be Pro China. You have to be pro China. No criticism of the Chinese government allowed. Students Protesting this control. Britain had to know and not care that China wouldn't honor its agreement to let Hong Kong remain independent. I think we are watching the death of a diamond in the rough. A jewel of Asia will be brought down to the Chinese level of communism. Just my opinion
NightCruiser 10 years ago
We have seen this movie before ie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989. China pretty much covered what happened there up for the locals. I guess these protestors don't know much about what happens to dissenters in China. Tanks and troops move in and you die:
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/26703087/hong-kong-protesters-stage-massive-defiant-rally
Hong Kong protesters stage massive, defiant rally
Posted: Oct 04, 2014 3:24 AM EST Updated: Oct 04, 2014 8:46 PM EST
HONG KONG (AP) - Bolstered by a massive rally overnight, Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists were defiant on the eighth day of protests Sunday in the face of attacks by opponents and government warnings to clear the business district streets they have occupied to press their demand for reforms.
MORE
Protests turn violent in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (CNN) – Despite the rain, protesters are still on the streets of Hong Kong.
But the mood has changed dramatically in the past 24 hours.
Scuffles are breaking out at a couple of protest sites across the city.
On Friday a group opposed to the pro-democracy protests tried to dismantle camps set up in the middle of a major street.
They broke down barricades, prompting police to form a human chain around occupy protesters.
Student leaders say they will consider abandoning talks with the government if officials do not stop activities against the protesters.
Confrontations in Hong Kong increase tensions in occupy movement
"Democracy now! Democracy in Hong Kong!" thousands chanted as speakers from the movement seeking wider political reforms for this former British colony urged them to persist in their campaign. The rally lasted hours, with participants at times clapping and cheering as a stream of speakers and singers addressed them and performed popular songs.
"We are not seeking revolution. We just want democracy!" said Joshua Wong, a 17-year-old student leader. "We hope there will be no violence," he said. "It would be unfortunate if this movement ended with bloodshed and violence."
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/26703087/hong-kong-protesters-stage-massive-defiant-rally
Hong Kong protesters stage massive, defiant rally
Posted: Oct 04, 2014 3:24 AM EST Updated: Oct 04, 2014 8:46 PM EST
HONG KONG (AP) - Bolstered by a massive rally overnight, Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists were defiant on the eighth day of protests Sunday in the face of attacks by opponents and government warnings to clear the business district streets they have occupied to press their demand for reforms.
MORE
Protests turn violent in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (CNN) – Despite the rain, protesters are still on the streets of Hong Kong.
But the mood has changed dramatically in the past 24 hours.
Scuffles are breaking out at a couple of protest sites across the city.
On Friday a group opposed to the pro-democracy protests tried to dismantle camps set up in the middle of a major street.
They broke down barricades, prompting police to form a human chain around occupy protesters.
Student leaders say they will consider abandoning talks with the government if officials do not stop activities against the protesters.
Confrontations in Hong Kong increase tensions in occupy movement
"Democracy now! Democracy in Hong Kong!" thousands chanted as speakers from the movement seeking wider political reforms for this former British colony urged them to persist in their campaign. The rally lasted hours, with participants at times clapping and cheering as a stream of speakers and singers addressed them and performed popular songs.
"We are not seeking revolution. We just want democracy!" said Joshua Wong, a 17-year-old student leader. "We hope there will be no violence," he said. "It would be unfortunate if this movement ended with bloodshed and violence."
Tarquin 10 years ago
Did it ever occur to you that after all this time, and given the population of Hong Kong, and given the economic influence that Hong Kong has, that returning Hong Kong to China might actually be the straw that breaks the camel's back for a totalitarian regime in China?
It's been discussed many times over the years. It's called "Hong Kong Flu."
Essentially, the idea is that Hong Kong has been a center of capitalism and democracy (albeit exceptionally corrupt versions of both) for a long time.
However, it's so economically powerful, and the population is so large, that China can't actually do much about it. If they shut down the province, their economy would collapse. They also can't incarcerate the entire population, nor can they kill them.
Add to that the nature of new technology and what that means for information, and Hong Kong essentially becomes a time bomb for the traditionally totalitarian Chinese government.
Sure, they might put an end to this demonstration - but that will simply teach the protesters (and the third generation of free citizens of Hong Kong) how to be even more subversive to the government.
China's got a problem with Hong Kong, and while they attempt to crack down in the short-term, there's really not much that can reasonably be done to stop movements like this in the long run.
This protest is one battle among many to come. And yeah, the protestors will probably lose - but they won't all be murdered and they won't all be crushed. They'll be forced to abandon this protest - but there will be others in the future, with a more motivated and more innovative population base.
It's kind of like the fly on the forehead for China. Hong Kong's citizens do not fall in line with China's policies - but China can't really swat it very hard, because it's such an important part of China's overall well-being.
Britain didn't sell anyone out. They let China drink the Kool Aid of capitalism and democracy.
None of this is coming as a surprise to any foreign affairs students. In fact, the only surprising thing about it is that it didn't happen sooner. This is exactly what hundreds, if not thousands, of scholars have predicted would happen for a long time. It wasn't even a secret, it was openly discussed globally. I'm not sure how someone could miss it, actually.
"Hong Kong Flu."
Look it up.
It's been discussed many times over the years. It's called "Hong Kong Flu."
Essentially, the idea is that Hong Kong has been a center of capitalism and democracy (albeit exceptionally corrupt versions of both) for a long time.
However, it's so economically powerful, and the population is so large, that China can't actually do much about it. If they shut down the province, their economy would collapse. They also can't incarcerate the entire population, nor can they kill them.
Add to that the nature of new technology and what that means for information, and Hong Kong essentially becomes a time bomb for the traditionally totalitarian Chinese government.
Sure, they might put an end to this demonstration - but that will simply teach the protesters (and the third generation of free citizens of Hong Kong) how to be even more subversive to the government.
China's got a problem with Hong Kong, and while they attempt to crack down in the short-term, there's really not much that can reasonably be done to stop movements like this in the long run.
This protest is one battle among many to come. And yeah, the protestors will probably lose - but they won't all be murdered and they won't all be crushed. They'll be forced to abandon this protest - but there will be others in the future, with a more motivated and more innovative population base.
It's kind of like the fly on the forehead for China. Hong Kong's citizens do not fall in line with China's policies - but China can't really swat it very hard, because it's such an important part of China's overall well-being.
Britain didn't sell anyone out. They let China drink the Kool Aid of capitalism and democracy.
None of this is coming as a surprise to any foreign affairs students. In fact, the only surprising thing about it is that it didn't happen sooner. This is exactly what hundreds, if not thousands, of scholars have predicted would happen for a long time. It wasn't even a secret, it was openly discussed globally. I'm not sure how someone could miss it, actually.
"Hong Kong Flu."
Look it up.
NightCruiser 10 years ago
I googled Honk Kong flu and came up with some kind of virus haha. I hope you are right Tarquin. Hong Kong has a lot of Chinese who came from the main land and those are the ones who were attacking the protestors. I don't think China cares how many they have to kill to stay in control. They have the backing of Millions of Chinese people. Many Chinese spy on each other to protect the government. Any trouble makers are ratted out and quickly dealt with. I bet they set up that system in Hong Kong too. Like in Iran where one by one protesters started disappearing. Like Putin, Chinese officials value control more than money. They will still get their % and still be rich. The Chinese government controls over a Billion people now. Most of them are poor and happy. You would think there would be rioting in China over no pay and very low pay. Many Chinese are upset about all the progress and having to give up their farms. Poor people making stuff to sell to the West. That is China
Caligynephobe 10 years ago
Quote:
Originally posted by NightCruiserWhat a terrible thing Britain did to them. Giving them to Communist rule of China. No good could ever come from that. What a betrayal. China says you can elect your government officials but that have to be Pro China. You have to be pro China. No criticism of the Chinese government allowed. Students Protesting this control. Britain had to know and not care that China wouldn't honor its agreement to let Hong Kong remain independent. I think we are watching the death of a diamond in the rough. A jewel of Asia will be brought down to the Chinese level of communism. Just my opinion
It wasn't ours to keep dickwad!!! We didn't want to give it back...... the lease was up and Britain by then was a tiny little country incapable of being able to tell the Chinese to fuck off.
This unfortunately is international politics................ i mean who the fuck gave them the fucking Olympics? Where were your protests then or anybody elses for that matter?
NightCruiser 10 years ago
Oh we always come to your rescue. All you had to do was ask. Who backed you up in the Falklands? Germans kicking the shit out of you--no problem we are glad to give a helping hand. Ooops! Sorry millions of poor slobs our lease is up. Time to give you back to Communism and the people who murdered a bunch of protestors in the Square. You can teach Chinas billion man army all about Democracy. Toodles! Tea time! China is now breaking all kinds of maritime laws. Human right laws but we must honor the lease.
Quote:
Originally posted by Caligynephobe... It wasn't ours to keep dickwad!!! We didn't want to give it back...... the lease was up and Britain by then was a tiny little country incapable of being able to tell the Chinese to fuck off. This unfortunately is international politics................ i mean who the fuck gave them the fucking Olympics? Where were your protests then or anybody elses for that matter?
Caligynephobe 10 years ago
Quote:
Originally posted by NightCruiserOh we always come to your rescue. All you had to do was ask. Who backed you up in the Falklands? Germans kicking the shit out of you--no problem we are glad to give a helping hand. Ooops! Sorry millions of poor slobs our lease is up. Time to give you back to Communism and the people who murdered a bunch of protestors in the Square. You can teach Chinas billion man army all about Democracy. Toodles! Tea time! China is now breaking all kinds of maritime laws. Human right laws but we must honor the lease.
...
Well your help in the Falklands was 'unofficial' and certainly not of a military nature and in WW2 you three years late .
I'm sorry but you're statements are rather naive and ignorant historically and politically. They're based on a general perception not on facts or any actual knowledge of a complex situation or of the historical relationship between our two countries and no you haven't always been there for us and you've even been against us.
NightCruiser 10 years ago
http://www.academia.edu/367903/Significant_and_Surprising_American_Assistance_to_Great_Britain_in_the_Falklands_War
Looks like we provided Britian with side winder missiles, fuel, planes etc in the Faukland war. According to this article you couldn't have won the war without our support. You're welcome.
Yea may take us awhile to send our people in to die for other countries. Lucky for you German ships attacked our shipping lanes with their U-boats
Looks like we provided Britian with side winder missiles, fuel, planes etc in the Faukland war. According to this article you couldn't have won the war without our support. You're welcome.
Yea may take us awhile to send our people in to die for other countries. Lucky for you German ships attacked our shipping lanes with their U-boats
* This post has been modified
: 10 years ago
