Hongkong which has established a
formidable reputation for its economic progress and rule of law is slowly
sinking into an abyss. Travellers at the airport are now greeted with freedom slogans
by the demonstrators. As of now seven countries have issued travel alert to Hongkong.
The autonomous region handed over to China in 1997 by the British under the
foundational agreement of “One Country two systems” for the next fifty years is
now reeling under political turmoil. Ever since its accession to China,
Hongkongers have jealously defended their prized freedom of speech and media
and tried to maintain a distinct identity. The islanders spared no efforts to
defend their freedom and boldly expressed resentment towards the political
dispensation through peaceful marches and protests in the past two decades. The
momentous Umbrella Movement or Occupy Central Movement underscores their
penchant to realise the dream of universal suffrage.
On the 20th anniversary
of Hongkong’s handover President Xi openly hinted at sinification and gradually
the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intensified attempts to penetrate the city’s
civil society. Introduction of the
controversial extradition bill have been a calibrated effort in that direction.
The bill which permits extradition of accused to mainland China is a direct assault
on independence of Hongkong’s judiciary and hence civilians denounced the bill.
Expressing disapproval people carried out peaceful marches which snowballed
into massive protests compelling the pro-China Chief Executive Carrie Lam to
suspend the bill. Activists demanded complete withdrawal of the bill but an
obstinate Chief Executive didn’t heed. Keen on preserving the sanctity of its
judiciary, activists intensified protests. They stormed into the legislature
defaced portraits. With time peace marches sparked clashes between the riot
police and activists. Protests slowly morphed into pro-democracy movement. Last
weekend, protests reached a crescendo with activists blackening plaque of
China’s Liaison Office. They defaced the façade of the building with graffiti.
Chinese government which perceived these acts as an assault on their
sovereignty issued a stern warning to protestors and accused them of working
with foreign forces.
Amidst no signs of any let down in
protests by the pro-democracy activists a day after China’s warning, masked men
in white T-shirts wielding bamboo sticks, iron rods, holding China flags
entered a metro station and roughed up people traveling by the Mass Transit
Rail. Gangs attacked people returning from protests. Soon, videos of police retreating
from the site of the assault leaving the common man to fend for themselves
became viral. The rampage episode which lasted for two hours left one battling
for life and 45 others grievously injured. Curiously, there has been little
response from the metro police who arrived 35 minutes after the first report of
attacks. Furious over inaction of Police, activists protested before Police
station the next day leading to arrest of six members associated with triad
gangs. The incident occurred at Yuen Long metro North of Hongkong a den to
triad gangs very loyal to China and the CCP. There are various theories about
Triads but by and large they carry out kidnapping and other illegal activities
at the behest of Chinese government. Similar reports of triad employment
emerged during Taiwanese Presidential Elections. Commonly known as the underground
front of CCP, they were used to spy leaders and threaten anti-Beijing elements
in Taiwan. Hongkongers who closely followed democratic movement in Taiwan now
strongly believe that China is going to employ every trick in its book to curb
the protests with heavy hand. Undeterred by the pressure tactics, activists
sought the permission of police to carry out a peaceful march to protest indiscriminate
attacks by triad gangs. Police banned the march scheduled for July 27th
citing violence. Notwithstanding the attempts to curb their march, students
walked through the Yeung Long metro and the central Liaison office. Extending
support, airport employees also joined the movement. Soon protestors occupied
the airport, flashed placards, displayed pictures, chanted freedom slogans
drawing the attention of the international media. Meanwhile the clashes between
activists and Police turned violent after police used tear gas and rubber
bullets to disperse the crowds. Taking stock of escalating tensions, China
hinted at a military action upon to curb protests. Beijing even cited a law that
authorises Hongkong police to seek the help of China in restoring peace and
order.
Alarmed by the tumbling trade and
tourism, America Chamber of Commerce charter in Hongkong requested the
government to address the grievances of the demonstrators and institute an
investigation. Instead of resolving the crisis, government shifted the blame on
protestors and held them responsible for the turmoil. Government’s inability to
protect common man from the unruly (triad) mobs has destroyed their faith in
current government. Already Hongkongers are deeply upset with Lam government which
has failed to deliver on economic front. Now her reluctance and indifference to
heed to public resentment towards extradition bill and their demands has
completely eroded their trust in the government. With reports of China’s preparations
to deploy PLA gaining traction, Hongkongers are now totally miffed. Until
unless government mulls a conciliatory path, the situation is unlikely to
return to normalcy. In the meanwhile, any kind of authoritarian display or
outburst from Beijing might even escalate tensions in Hongkong.
Hongkong protests are going to be China’s
nemesis for various regions. Firstly, Hongkong is not Tibet or Xinjiang. The
city which has carved a unique identity has immense economic potential. Any
disruption or major upheaval will have a considerable impact on China as well.
Secondly, the protests in Hongkong are now grabbing global headlines. China’s heavy-handedness
will buttress its deplorable human rights credentials. Thirdly, unlike the
Tiananmen Square protests where China ruthlessly mowed tanks over protestors
and censored media, free media of Hongkong will relay the information to the
world with no holds barred approach. Fourthly, the protests in the city are
showing no signs of wearing off. Activists are collectively working as a single
unit. Having learnt lessons during the Umbrella Movement in 2014, Hongkongers have
fine-tuned their protests to escape riot Police offensive. Fifthly, protestors
are firmly determined to safeguard their civil liberties. Chinese authoritarian
display in Hongkong will deter Taiwan from even considering Chinese proposal of
reunification.
China’s inability to brook no
dissent is at the root of this mayhem. Beijing has been resolutely tightening
its grip on Hongkong Special Autonomous Region (SAR). President Xi’s unrelenting
efforts to bring SAR under firm control of Beijing trampling their freedom has
aggravated the situation. An authoritarian President Xi promoting the “Chinese
Dream” of rejuvenation has turned China into a surveillance state. He converted
the entire province of Xinjiang into a big jail and illegally detained over 1
million Uighur Muslims under the pretext of imparting employment skills. For
the fear of losing trade ties with China, Muslim countries across the globe
refused to condemn Chinese actions. Similarly, he quelled dissent in Tibet with
iron hand. To bring back Taiwan under its fold, Beijing offered “One Country two
systems” principle. But a democratic Taiwan didn’t cower under China’s
pressure. Needless to say, China’s actions in Hongkong will hold a key to
success of “One China policy” or reunification of China ambitiously pursued by President
Xi.
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