China News  
SINO DAILY
Hong Kong in Beijing's shadow 20 years after handover
By Aaron TAM
Hong Kong (AFP) June 27, 2017


When Xi Jinping lands in Hong Kong on Thursday for the first time since becoming China's president, he will step into a deeply divided city uncertain of its future.

The visit marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain and comes at a time when many fear the semi-autonomous city's freedoms are being lost to an ever more assertive Beijing.

Protests are expected during Xi's three-day trip, which will be shielded by huge security and culminate in the inauguration of new city leader, Carrie Lam.

Pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong, who led mass "Umbrella Movement" rallies in 2014 calling for political reform in an unprecedented challenge to Beijing, says he believes Hong Kong is at a crossroads.

"The uniqueness of Hong Kong and the political status of my city are under threat," 20-year-old Wong told AFP.

He wants a public vote on sovereignty in 2047, when the 50-year handover agreement guaranteeing Hong Kong's liberties and way of life expires.

Such calls for self-determination or even full independence for Hong Kong grew out of the failure of the 2014 protests to win concessions on democratic reform and have infuriated Beijing.

"What we hope is to let everyone get the right of referendum to decide the future of this city," Wong said.

Residents were given no say in whether Hong Kong should be returned to China in 1997.

- Seeking compromise -

For the past 20 years, Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" deal which grants it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech, an independent judiciary and a partially elected legislature.

Rule of law is seen as key to its role as a gateway between China and the rest of the world.

However, a string of incidents, including the disqualification of two pro-independence lawmakers and alleged abductions by mainland security agents, have sparked concerns the tide is turning.

Beijing and local officials insist Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is secure.

Pro-establishment lawmaker Regina Ip, leader of the New People's Party, told AFP she thought the semi-autonomous system was "holding up well".

Hong Kong's economic growth was better under China than it would have been under Britain, added legislator Felix Chung, head of the pro-establishment Liberal Party.

"The central government gave us a lot of freedoms -- they didn't do too much to control Hong Kong," he said.

Both Chung and Ip agree political divisions need to be addressed, but argue that requires compromise.

"If you want to have democracy in the sense of cutting Beijing out of the picture, that's a non-starter," said Ip.

- Lost hope -

Lam has pledged to heal rifts but is already being painted by critics as a China stooge.

She has questioned whether it is the right time to revisit the reform debate that triggered the Umbrella Movement.

The protests kicked off after a Beijing-backed plan for leadership elections -- promised in the handover deal -- said candidates must be vetted first.

Slammed by activists as "fake universal suffrage" it was voted down in parliament by pro-democracy lawmakers.

Lam was chosen by a Beijing-friendly electoral committee, as were her predecessors. Although there are democrats in the legislature, it is still fundamentally weighted towards Beijing.

Campaigners say their calls for the promised reforms have now been sidelined.

Hong Kong's youngest lawmaker and former Umbrella Movement leader, Nathan Law, says the pro-democracy camp has "very limited power" in parliament, but will not stop pushing for a more representative system.

He also points out that politics is not the only divisive aspect of Hong Kong.

The wealth gap is at a record high, with decent housing unaffordable for many ordinary citizens and the government accused of being out of touch with residents' basic needs.

"Hong Kong people have lost hope. That is a huge problem for this city," Law told AFP.

Money from wealthy mainland investors is one of the factors creating Hong Kong's property bubble.

Companies from across the border have also gained influence in a range of local markets and more mainland residents are setting up home in Hong Kong.

Supporters frame these developments as key to prosperity.

"If Hong Kong wants to be an international city, you need mainland people," said one 24-year-old financial advisor who gave his name as Christopher.

Opponents call it "mainlandisation".

"On the surface, people don't find it that different," said retiree Wilson Ng, 68, of life in the city.

"But I think there's lots of influence from mainland China, and from the government."

SINO DAILY
Best foot forward: Hong Kong's military-style youth groups
Hong Kong (AFP) June 19, 2017
Gruelling foot drills and camouflage uniforms are part of life for some Hong Kongers as military-style youth groups become increasingly popular, despite the fact there is no army to join. Some follow the traditions of former British colonial forces, while others are newly invented military-flavoured boot camps designed to keep young people in shape. But as the semi-autonomous city prepar ... read more

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SINO DAILY
China's cargo spacecraft completes second docking with space lab

China to launch four more probes before 2021

New broadcasting satellite fails to enter preset orbit

China launches remote-sensing micro-nano satellites

SINO DAILY
Macron faces EU summit pushback on Chinese investments

Japan logs surprise trade deficit in May as energy costs expand

US aluminum makers point finger at China, call for tariffs

Macron stumbles at EU summit over Chinese investments

SINO DAILY
SINO DAILY
US defense contractor accused of spying for China

US heavily armed, but many ambivalent about it: survey

NATO jet approaches Russian defence minister's plane

Mongolian voters weigh love-hate relationship with China

SINO DAILY
UK nuclear plant to cost consumers billions more

Toshiba delays results again citing US nuclear unit

AREVA obtains transport license for its new cask in France and Belgium

NWMO to Focus Field Studies on Fewer Communities

SINO DAILY
China orders halt to video streaming on major websites

Social media 'bots' from Russia distorting global politics: study

Data firm working for Trump exposed 198 mn voter files: researchers

Big scientific breakthrough at sub-atomic level holds promise for secure comms

SINO DAILY
UK nuclear plant to cost consumers billions more

Toshiba delays results again citing US nuclear unit

AREVA obtains transport license for its new cask in France and Belgium

NWMO to Focus Field Studies on Fewer Communities

SINO DAILY
Thrive Renewables delivers mezzanine funded wind farms in Scotland

It's a breeze: How to harness the power of the wind

ADB: Asia-Pacific growth tied to renewables

GE Energy Financial Services Surpasses $15 Billion in Renewable Energy Investments









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.