Riots that broke out in Hong Kong, set a difficult choice before the Communist Party of China. Violent suppression of protests in the 7.2-million-autonomy may deter investors from it and harm the economy, while mild reaction would encourage dissidents and separatists on the mainland with a 1.3 billion population.
The unrest in the heart of Hong Kong began on September 26. Organization that gathered demonstrators "Occupy Central with love and peace" was planning to organize a movement by the scenario that broke out in New York in September 2011 "Occupy Wall Street", which provides blocking important administrative buildings (Campbell).
This was done to a very specific purpose: to convince the ruling elite of China to allow the citizens of Hong Kong to choose the autonomy’s chief executive in 2017. Current leader of Hong Kong Leung Chun-ying was elected in 2012 by a special committee out of several candidates proposed by Beijing. Organization "Occupy Central" argues that Leung Chun-ying’s refusal to negotiate directly with people is fueling unrest crisis in Hong Kong, which could be prevented by his resignation (Flanagan).
On Monday, September 29, after an unsuccessful attempt by the police to disperse the rally with rubber truncheons, tear gas and pepper sprays, the number of protesters on the streets of the financial enclave has increased dramatically. Organizers estimate the number of demonstrators to have reached 80 000 by Tuesday morning, protesters occupying several main areas of Hong Kong, including the Admiralty, where the government buildings, the central business district and the shopping district of Mongkok are located.
The leader of the Federation of Hong Kong students Alex Chow stresses that the events unfolding can no longer be attributed to the students or the action "Occupy Central". It turned into a civil movement. Unrest in Hong Kong received the name Umbrella revolution, as over the heads of protesters numerous umbrellas were opening whenever a threat of use of tear or pepper gas arose.
Riots that broke out became the most extensive in the history of Hong Kong (Craw). China has not encountered such a serious political problem since the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, when in the center of Beijing several hundred demonstrators demanding freedom had been shot by the authorities.
Since then, the Chinese mainland suppressed anti-government demonstrations in the bud. However, in today's semi-autonomous Hong Kong situation is quite different. According to experts, in the financial harbor, hard scenario of protests cessation is hardly possible, as it would seriously undermine (or even destroy) the political stability that attracts multinational corporations doing business in Hong Kong (Brinn).
The analyst of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Willy Lam says that the use of force and the deployment of troops to disperse demonstrators will be undertaken by Beijing only in the most extreme case. The Hong Kong police can still disperse protesters with water cannons and rubber bullets.
After the end of 150 years of British colonization and the reunification with China in 1997, Hong Kong was entitled to their own domestic law, the police and the financial system. Autonomy has acquired a relatively free press, and many civil liberties, of which the people of the continent are deprived. The annual Hong Kong's GDP per unit of population purchasing power parity reached $ 55,000, which is five times higher than in mainland China ($ 10,600).
Some experts believe the situation is a deadlock - neither Hong Kong demonstrators nor China's communist government show a willingness to compromise (“Hong Kong police”). Hong Kong's economy has become so prosperous, and the city has become so open and international, that people in Hong Kong believe it necessary to determine the political future. Stability without freedom is slavery. It does not make sense. In Ferguson, Missouri, there were weeks of violent riots and peaceful protests after the police shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Hong Kong protesters show their solidarity with the events in Ferguson.
Works Cited
Brinn, Katie. “Hong Kong's 'umbrella revolution' explained.” Yahoo News. Yahoo, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Campbell, Charlie. “As Hong Kong Police Remove Barriers, Clashes Break Out at Protest Sites.” Time. Time, 13 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Craw, Victoria. “Hong Kong’s protest: Inside the Umbrella Revolution.” News Online from Australia and the World. News.com.au, 30 Sep. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Flanagan, Ed. “Very Civil Disobedience: Inside Hong Kong's 'Umbrella Revolution'” NBC News. NBC, 1 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
“Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy protesters.” BBC News China. BBC News, 27 Sep. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
