“Hong Kong and the Fight For Democracy” by Gavin S.

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For five months, protests have raged on in the region of Hong Kong, China. Pro-Hong Kong protestors have clashed with Chinese police in a series of violent uprisings and protests. As of now, very little progress has been made by the Chinese government in an attempt to put an end to the protests. The people of Hong Kong are not only fighting back at their government for imposing unfair laws, they are fighting for democracy as well. What started as a protest against unfair legislature has become a revolution led by the people of Hong Kong.

Image result for hong kong protest clash with police

Protests started in April of this year when the Chinese government introduced an extradition bill, which allowed for criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Since 1997, Hong Kong has essentially functioned as its own entity under the supervision and control of China. The “one country, two systems” agreement allows Hong Kong to have its own judiciary and legal system separate from that of mainland China. According to the BBC, the introduction of the extradition bill sparked outrage among the citizens of Hong Kong as they feared it would lead to unfair trials and harsh punishment. Hundreds of thousands of protestors took to the streets in the following weeks. Eventually, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam agreed to suspend the bill.

Despite this, demonstrations continued as protestors feared the bill would be revived. Since June, large scale protests and clashes against police have continued. Many of these clashes with police have become violent and resulted in the injury and even death of protestors. The bill was finally withdrawn in September, but had little effect on the ongoing protests. Since then, the protests have morphed into a pro-democracy movement. With the transition from protests to an essential revolution, violence among protesters and police has increased even further. Hong Kong police have begun to use tear gas, batons, riot shields, and even live ammunition against protestors. According to the New York Times, on October 1, a Hong Kong police officer was filmed shooting an 18-year-old protester in the chest at point blank range. Activist in return have fought back against police using bricks, hammers, bats, firebombs, and even bamboo sticks.

Image result for hong kong police shot protesters point blank

As tensions continue to boil, the Chinese government has hinted the possibility of using military force if the uprisings worsen. On Tuesday, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam hinted that the Chinese military could step in if the uprisings were not resolved, but reiterated that they wished to resolve the issue without mainland intervention. Lam told reporters that the Hong Kong government “will use its greatest determination to halt these acts of violence.”

Calls for democratic reform have drastically increased among protesters. As a rallying symbol, young protesters have begun to fly American flags and chant patriotic mottos during their demonstrations. Their calls for democracy have been heard around the world. Companies, celebrities, and politicians alike have expressed their support, or disdain, for the Hong Kong protesters. Recently, Apple was criticized for removing an app commonly used by the Hong Kong protestors. Celebrities have voiced their opinion regarding the protests. Multiple NBA basketball players were forced to remove pro-Hong Kong comments off of social media. In addition, President Trump has expressed his support of the protesters and their calls for democracy. 

As the world watches, the people of Hong Kong continue to fight back against their authoritarian government. Their calls for democracy serve as a beacon of hope to countries around the world who suffer under oppressive government. What they are fighting for is much larger than themselves. They represent the ongoing fight for freedom and prosperity around the world. Just as the thirteen colonies fought for independence from Britain, or the French and their fight against monarchy, the people of Hong Kong are fighting their own revolution. 

Will China be able to reach an agreement with the people of Hong Kong? Will the hostilities end peacefully, or will they be put down with force? Could the people of Hong Kong potentially achieve democractic reform? 

Works Cited

Pang, Jessie. “Hong Kong Says Not Trying to Stop Protests, Just Violence.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 10 Oct. 2019,  www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-idUSKBN1WP095.

Saldivia, Gabriela. “Violence Returns To Hong Kong As Police Fire Tear Gas And Protesters Fight Back.” NPR, NPR, 24 Aug. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/08/24/754000173/violence-returns-to-hong-kong-as-police-fire-tear-gas-and-protesters-fight-back.

“The Hong Kong Protests Explained in 100 and 500 Words.” BBC News, BBC, 19 Sept. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49317695.

Wallace, Danielle. “Hong Kong's Lam Says Chinese Military Could Step in If Uprising Worsens.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 8 Oct. 2019, www.foxnews.com/world/hong-kongs-lam-says-chinese-military-could-step-in-if-uprising-gets-bad.

Willis, Haley, and Ainara Tiefenthäler. “Hong Kong Police Shot a Protester at Point-Blank Range. We Break Down What Happened.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Oct. 2019, www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000006745719/hong-kong-protester-shot.html.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 11, 2019 at 2:07 PM

    These times in Hong Kong will go down in history. The current administration in The United States believes in “America first” and does not has a business mind. I believe the President thinks it is not worth it to step in out of fear of messing up trade talks with China. Interactions between police and protestors are becoming more violent as time goes on, and I only see this ending in massacres. The people of Hong Kong don’t have enough resources to protect themselves, so they will need aid from other countries to achieve democratic reform.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 28, 2019 at 9:24 PM

    Just like Daniel said, these times in Hong Kong will not be forgotten. I feel like China will be able to reach an agreement with the people of Hong Kong if they will figure out some sort of peace. I think the hostilities could end peacefully but at the rate it is at now they be put down with force. I feel like the people of Hong Kong potentially achieve democractic reform if they would just find a easy but fast compromise to the demise of their county.

    ReplyDelete

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