Dear Americans, please don't stop short on drawing analogy between Hong Kong and the US. I understand your democracy is at stake under this administration. But when we are talking about HK we are talking about much higher stake under an authoritarian government ten times worse if not more. I've been lived in China and then US, believe me I know the difference. We are talking about possible another Tiananmen Massacre. Please call your representatives in the Congress and the Senate, tell them you're concerned about HK and you wish the US to press China much harder on the issue.
3
As a journalist, I think the most important thing is to report the news without prejudice, but I do not think this is an absolutely objective report. How come the demonstrators must be the victims and the government must be the perpetrator all the time?
3
@Rose As a writer the only news I have ever seen reported without prejudice is in blurbs from API and hasty police reports. This is a remarkably in depth article for the length, it states the position of the protestors, not the NY Times. To answer your question—in this case, the totalitarian Communist Party in Red China has no appeal to the independent, open minded, freedom loving people of Hong Kong who are used to the loose "British rule" that left them prepared for autonomy.
4
The Chinese Army are the terrorists employing Hong Kong mafia to beat up the protestors. When was the last time anyone protested in China? Probably Tiananmen Square and what happened to 'Tank Man'; he just disappeared.
7
It looks like the dictators who run China has finally met their match in Hong Kong! The youth of the world are tired of domination and fight in every one of their countries for freedom and the future. Be it in America, Russia, the Middle East or now in China the youth rise up against oppression.
However in Hong Kong the situation is about to get worse as China has now shown that they are about to send in the military to quelsh this rebellion by the youth. However the China's rulers are in for a surprise as nearly 80% of the people of Hong Kong want China to stay out of Hong Kong's affairs. Why oh why did we allow Britain to turn over Hong Kong to China? Haven't the world been hustled by China enough? First the Chinese steal the the world's technology. Then China pollutes the world into a global warming disaster as it becomes the world's worse polluter. Then it sends America and the world drugs that cause massive amounts of drug addicts, many who die and all who's lives are ruined. All this while China takes away many American jobs with their cheap labor subsidized by their government. China and Hong Kong are on a collision course just as America & China are on a economic collision course. The people of Hong Kong are going to see blood in the streets as this situation escalates. China feels that they have to stop this hong Kong revolution before it hits the main land. The people of Hong Kong feel this is their last chance for freedom from China's domination. So sad.
4
A lot more Davids this time around, but still just one Goliath. Neither side will win, at a terrible cost to both.
2
They'd better be careful. Another Tiananmen may not be likely, but it's not impossible either.
4
Any protest that disturb or interrupt other people's right of activity is not legitimate, no matter what the request/appeal was.
3
Sorry for the inconvenient caused to all visitors. I wonder if calling the movement as "Anti-government demonstration" is appropriate, five demands during the movement since early June have not been answered by the Chief Executive til now. To my understanding, the protesters wants are clear from the beginning until now, which is the five demands, remains NO change. Anti-government has not much to do with the 5 demands...better describe as the "Anti-extradition bill demonstration.
4
@Cheng I do understand your concern for democracy and freedom. But anyone with the minimum fairness do accept that violence is involved in the protest. It only makes sense to pursue democracy and freedom, but only in a peaceful way. You acknowledge that you protest against others' rights to work, to access public service jeopardizing others' safety. Do you think you have access to a full coverage of the event? For example, it is said that the female demonstrator was shot in her eye by her fellow instead of the policeman. The New York Times has no such coverage. It is too quick to accuse somebody for its behavior when no third-party investigation has even been organized yet. Please be professional and unbiased.
Important facts: The China Extradition Bill is STILL in "pending" mode and is still recorded in the legislative council website. It HAS NOT been removed yet. If they want to restart the whole legislative process, they can. That is why HKers are protesting. When it comes to defending our freedom, we HKers will fight till the end even with the army come marching in.
10
When the Chinese government said that it was terrorism. I think in a way yes it is terrorism against non human like walls or signs. The police admitted they had officers disguised as protesters. It is very hard to say is if the Molotov was let out by disguised police to justify their use of bad violence. Remember not too long ago one police officer failed to poke any eye out of a protesters but instead got his finger bitten off. There were pictures as evidence for that. With this evidence the police found it hard to charge the protester. Any more deaths of the protesters will give birth to terrorism - hope that there will not more indiscriminately beating of the people from the government.
4
Disturbing one of world's busiest airports will just give the authority more excuses for a crackdown. As long as the majority of Chinese people stand against Hong Kong protesters Beijing will dig in. This is not going to end well.
5
Too bad mainland chinese people do not have unrestricted access to the internet. Otherwise they would rise up with the HKers too and the government would be forced to make changes.
6
@sharon No, unfortunately people in mainland do not have much sympathy for Hong Kong protesters, you don't understand the complexity among the Chinese people.
The true terrorists in Hong Kong are the major housing/land developers and the government officials who have enabled them to hold Hong Kong hostage, creating artificial land shortages, and forever increasing the cost of housing and living in Hong Kong. in the process, they have decimated all hope of raising a family or creating new industry for most of today’s young people.
The government should be making policies to reverse the housing problem but they only care about their own bank accounts.
The same problem was evident wrt Uber. Many of Hong Kong’s officials own substantial quantities of taxi medallions, so they made sure that Uber and services like it would never be legal in Hong Kong, ignoring the needs of Hong Kong’s people for their own personal profit.
4
China Gov't only has one response, military force. That is very limiting and does not allow for many options. The Gov't must learn to bend or it is just a matter of time before the entire system breaks.
5
Am I the only one confused about what the protestors are asking for now? Don't give me the blank "fight for democracy". Do they have an object goal? General election? They never had it when UK controlled them. Policy brutality? Come meet police in US! Try block subway and control an airport in US and see what police is going to do.
4
They never had election under UK governance. But, they enjoyed great freedom at the time. Under China ruling？..you should ask hk people if you have the opportunity.
1
@Fw can you give some specific regarding the freedom? Such as they could do what? Occupy subway and airport? They could have done that freely back then?
@Amy
They are protesting against their government passing a law that would give the Chinese government broad jurisdiction to extradite people from Hong Kong to mainland China. This has been the main goal from the very beginning and has not changed
2
I am impressed by and proud of the Hong Kong people standing up to an increasingly oppressive totalitarian state. Everybody can help their cause by not buying Chinese-made products until HK is guaranteed judicial autonomy and free elections, as per the handover agreement.
Unfortunately, it may take more police brutality or a massacre to trigger international boycotts and banking sanctions. With PLA tanks, and mainland troops dressed as HK police massed just over the border, this may not be very long in coming. Free Hong Kong!
5
In the days of the Tiananmen Square protest 4/89 the Beijing government ordered the PLA to disperse and arrest demonstrators and the general in charge of that district refused to mount his troops against citizens and suffered for it.
The order was passed on to more distant commanders with order to prepare their troops with propagandas against the ‘counter-revolutionaries’ and many died in the resulting battles of citizen and PLA across barricades on route to T.S. There is no victor should this play out in the streets of H.K.
Time for intelligent interplay on both sides before it becomes ‘Too Late.’
4
People do not care who is in charge or who is in government, they only care that they have jobs, that they will have jobs in a years time, that wages are rising, that infrastructure is being built, that the country is strong and stable. I’ve travelled extensively through China as the history of that country fascinates me, and I can tell you one thing, Chinese people do not want democracy. China is 31 times the size of my country, there are numerous provinces, autonomous regions, special administrative regions etc.. They know very well that democracy in China means the end of china. Same like in Russia. All these places like Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, the Uighur regions etc.. would all break away if they had democracy. Chinese people do not want democracy as democracy means the end of a “big” china. They want Communist, a strong centralised government.
4
To a Pole:
I cannot help but think back to 1968 and the Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia, which the former considered part of its political territory. The U.S. made no response, nor is it obvious what a response should or even could have been at the time. The reality is that when push comes to shove, semi-abstractions such as freedom, democracy, and sovereignty get shunted aside by "facts on the ground."
Does the American government have plans about how to respond (other than verbal condemnation), if China invades Hong Kong.? There is no way of knowing nor, if there are plans, should we know what they are, unless publicity is part of a coherent diplomatic warning.
The strongest reality in Hong Kong's corner is that an invasion by China would likely irreparably damage the ability of Hong Kong to serve as the huge financial center from which China gains so much. However, rational material effects might not prevail over the Chinese Communist Party's interest in preserving Party-defined stability at all costs, as well as wanting to suppress any inspiration Tibetans, Uighurs, and other and other non-Han peoples might get from Hong Kong successfully saying "No!" to Beijing.
The dynamic was similar in 1968, as the Soviet Union was afraid that the Prague Spring, actually lead by the Czechoslovak Communist Party leadership (Dubček, Smrkovsky, Svoboda, et al), would serve as inspiration to various effectively colonized Soviet "republics", as well as East European vassals.
2
"She said protesters risked losing support if their “ad hoc” moves became too disruptive: “Hong Kong was stable. It was one of the safest places in the world. This damages the image of Hong Kong.”
Then it's obviously become so unsafe that the people of HK are willing to risk arrest to protest the lack of safety. And at the airport no less where packs of police armed with submachine guns patrol the passageways. With their fingers on the trigger.
5
Protesters in Hong-Cong need not only the support of its citizens but also that of the world. The Chinese government is taking the opportunity to intervene in the confrontation at Hong-Cong. If the opinion in the world would not support the activities of protesters any more, it would be the opportunity for China to intervene. Protesters should not go to extremes.
2
This will undoubtedly come as a huge shock both to most readers and The New York Times itself, but the possible invasion of Hong Kong by China in the near future, the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom in the medium future, and the possible use of nuclear weapons in the medium future in another war between India and Pakistan are actually much, much more important than the latest bit of gossip, innuendo, lies, even facts in the never-ending Jeffrey Epstein soap opera.
I know, that's hard to believe.
22
Your courage and determination is an inspiration to all who wish for freedom of speech, freedom to chose a nation's leadership, and religious freedom. I bow to those who are putting themselves "on the line" for human rights. I remain in awe of the courage of the Chinese people.
4
@Melvyn D Nunes, well, HK has freedom of speech and religious freedom for a long time. it is freedom of election what they ask for, however, the large amounts of violence, laws breaking rioter and disrupting the public order make this protest go to a completely wrong direction.
I fear Hong Kong will soon face its own Tiananman Square event. Beijing will appear to be patient for only so long before their tradition of ruthlessness will appear. What happens after that remains to be seen, but inevitably many will be killed, and many will be imprisoned, all on the pretext that they are all terrorists. And Trump will appreciate that technique: demonize anyone who criticizes him by calling them “traitors,” or “communists.” Then unleash any nut who can legally buy semiautomatic weapons to do the dirty work.
8
@Cp
I can only imagine how magnificent our world would be were China to truly become "the land of the free and the home of the brave" that the World has long believed it had the potential to become. How beautiful would our world become!
1
What are the solutions for China? Just like our racial issues and mass shooting problems, what are the solutions for us. China is stuck with the demonstrators. Give them permission to declare Hong Kong independence? My first trip to Hong Kong was in Feb., 1939. I went to school there and I worked there in 1970s. I couldn't think of a best way to end the demonstration. They want China to disappear from this world but that is not going to happen.
4
Just think what kind of message it would send about American's attitude towards Trump's failed presidency and dysfunctional government if peaceful protestors closed down the runways at New York Kennedy (JFK), Washington National (DCA), Atlanta ( ATL), O'Hare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver ((DEN) Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle Tacoma (SEA) for just 12 hours.
I expect the disruption would be international within 60 minutes.
Think that might get someone's attention domestically and reassure our international well-wishers that Americans aren't sitting on our hands waiting for someone to rescue us?
Yeah...I think so, too.
7
Our government isn’t dysfunctional. All that shutting down US airports would show is that we have a bunch of babies who are too spoiled and bratlike to effect change by voting in the polls, an option that the Taiwanese do not have.
This should be happening at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. In fact, the whole country should be out in the streets loudly protesting Dangerous Donald and his merry band of terrorist enablers, also known as Congressional Republicans. Where is the outrage as Mafia Don and his consiglieri continue their assault on American democracy and decency at the behest of Putin? Time for decent Americans to take back the country and send Putin’s Puppet to jail where he belongs. PERMANENTLY!
18
@Mark Collectivist cultures are slower to initiate action as a group, but once it starts, it usually takes something extreme to stop it because collectivists value the betterment of the whole over the well-being of the individual. Americans are a predominantly individualistic culture, and as such we value individual safety and ideals, which causes a lot of infighting, even among people that agree with each other, that is completely alien to collectivist cultures. Throw tear gas into a crowd and a third of those people will flee and refuse to return to the protest, because individualistic cultures value saving the individual's skin over the betterment of the whole.
That's not to say collectivists don't have their own share of problems, it just means that in this particular category Individualistic cultures have a lot of the deck stacked against them. The reasons that drive protest can also drive a wedge in that protest.
3
“Many protesters were angry that a female demonstrator was hit by a projectile in her eye”.
I just want to point out that the projectile that hit her eye was coming from a male demonstrator, not the police! And the guy got arrested later on.
6
@Da Lee
Your source for this assertion?
5
Please be noted that this comment mistaken. First, even the police did not deny the possibility that this projectile could be shot by police. Moreover, there have been witness (a reporter) and a local media have provided evidence that the girl was shot by a bean bag bullet, which was possessed by police. Second, no one was arrested or claimed responsibility for this incident.,
9
@Da Lee
One problem that has arisen time and again in situations such as these is the infiltration of citizen protest groups by plainclothes police provocateurs.
That may not be relevant to this particular case. Indeed it may have been another legitimate protester who hurled the object. But among these generally insistent-but-peaceful demonstrators, I hope there will be a suppression of those who are quick to promote violence and the use of, for instance, molotov cocktails.
But if the troops roll in, the protesters will understandably use any means necessary to hinder and repel them in a cityscape that looks as if it will not provide a shooting gallery comparable to that of Tiananmen Square and the surrounding avenues.
We in the USA who believe our current president is viciously destroying everything good that this country stands for need to protest every weekend just the way Hong Kong protests.
13
@Andrea R
I agree.
The young need to lead the way just as in the 60s. How is it that the much-vaunted social media are not being used to promote and organize mass demonstrations weekend after weekend all over the country at times when huge numbers are off work and out of school?
The demonstrations should be as leaderless as possible as in Hong Kong. No bloviating usual-suspect speakers. Just moiling masses chanting, “Dump Trump! Dump Trump! Liar! Liar! Stop Your Evil Ways! Keep it simple. A show of numbers and a show of anger. Weekend after weekend.
The were no apps in the late 60s when hundreds
of thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., for the
Moratorium marches and demonstrations of October 15, and November 15, in 1969. When I see the screen-locked
zombies everywhere I go, I wonder if they’re capable of pulling away for just a few hours, leaving their phones in their pockets, and focussing on something in three dimensions that is not a game or an entertainment.
Young men are not motivated in the same way as in the 60s because there is no draft leading to the prospect of being forced to fight and die in an unjust, cooked-up war.
What can get young people and the rest of us fired up to do this?
1
In the near future when HK is once again a peaceful little fishing village, industry gone, businesses bankrupt, real estate empty, all of this will be merely a memory for the Cantonese fishermen as they sun-dry their catch of the day on abandoned airport runways and reminisce on their days in the university.
17
@john, Bet you've never even visited Hong Kong.
4
@tiddle
Been there several dozen times. First time in 2002. I've lived full time in China for 12 years. What struck me most on my first visit was their disdain for mainland Chinese, refusing to speak to me in Mandarin. I feel sorry for the kids who are saddled with their parents' Stockholm Syndrome sense of Western entitlement.
This article outlines one of the dangers of a "...largely leaderless movement..." Since there is no apparent chain-of-command, there is no central mechanism for managing the protest or for issuing public statements. This makes it vulnerable to manipulation by opposing forces, perhaps using "...police officers and men disguised as protesters..."
Equally problematic, however, are sociopaths within Hong Kong society, who might use the protest to engage in anti-social behavior as a form of personal gratification. Stated another way, they're emotional junkies and get their fix through anti-social behavior. These factions seem to be part of every mass protest, regardless of how well-meaning the majority seems to be.
These two factors make it difficult to identify who might be behind any violent acts, in an otherwise peaceful movement.
As it stands, the mass group of protesters seems to be guided by metaphors (memes, rumors) operating within the group. For example the choice of venue - the airport - might indicate a consensus about freedom of movement over international borders, or perhaps support for employees of Cathay Pacific who have been harassed by Chinese authorities. Similarly, to show support and empathy for a fellow protester by covering "...their right eyes with bandages in an expression of solidarity with a woman who was hit with a projectile on Sunday."
3
@W on the other hand a leaderless movement can't be ended by a decapitation. That might be their biggest threat to China.
3
The strategy from the government is to let the rioters close down Hong Kong, including the airport. This will be met by anger from ordinary people whose livelihood is under threat from the rioters.
Hong Kong have no social security system. The people have to work to survive and when the rioters take the food away from them, it will be met with hate against them - paving the way for the security forces to detain them and sentence them for long prison time or even to detention centre in the mainland.
12
@Dan
I don't think that's true, according to the U.S. Government, anyway (see cite below). If their data is correct, the Hong Kong Government assumes all of the costs, too.
I wonder if that is what all the umbrellas are about? Perhaps if the Chinese Government takes over, their benefits won't be as good, or they will have changed?
Cite:
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2010 - Hong Kong
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2010-2011/asia/hongkong.html
1
@Dan, I hope you are wrong and believe that you underestimate the power of peaceful protest. It worked in India and South Africa. China may have met their match in HK.
4
your use of the word "rioters" instead of protesters shows your bias. if the govt cared for its citizens it wouldn't allow mainland to just run roughshod over everything in place. placing blame for difficulties on protesters instead of the source of the problem is burying your head in the sand
7
If I hear or read 'democracy' again, I'll scream, I promise. It is a big, empty word, a slogan, nothing else that means something different to everyone.
It should be banned, in all its forms, including its offspring, 'pro-democracy'.
Meaningless, pointless empty phrases repeated by brainwashed peopIe, nothing else.
5
@waldo How is it there in Shanghai?
12
The corrupt Chinese Communists, with their Swiss bank accounts, mansions in Canada and the US, and children sent to American and European universities are trying to characterize the people of Hong Kong as spoiled brats. In reality, the Chinese Communist leadership is terrified that their mainland population, presently kept in line through threats and intimidation, will realize their own power and will start demanding the rights that all humans have to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Protests in major Chinese cities in support of the people of Hong Kong will spell the end of Communist rule in China.
100
@NorthernVirginia
I so hope that you are right.
6
@NorthernVirginia I hope you're right. The down side would be a horrid blood-bath, with no change in the government.
1
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
- Frederick Douglass
Such magnificent freedom-fighters in the citizens of Hong Kong !
Wake up, Americans !
Protest.
Resist.
Vote.
We have our own corrupt anti-democratic, right-wing authoritarians crushing democracy and justice right here in the USA dressed in Republican clothing.
We have the people power for positive change.
Let's use it.
192
@Socrates,
There is a time for fighting and there is a time for reconciliation. Pity the family of the poor farmer who plows under his newly spring crops. America is not the PRC.
4
@NorthernVirginia
I just gave Honk Kongers the compliment of a lifetime by calling them magnificent freedom-fighters.
Is reading comprehension not taught in Falls Church ?
7
@NorthernVirginia,
Spot on.
3
Sorry to the woman who is a movie theater manager in NZ, but this is much more important than you...
12
This situation in HK is a singularity. There are many countries -- obviously including China -- where these demonstrations would have never been allowed to take place. Wholesale murder and police terrorism would have taken care of that. Countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, many in Africa and Asia...the list goes on and on. Due to totally unique circumstances generations of HK people have grown up used to more autonomy than four-fifths of the planet. Lucky us in the US, you might say. Let's not be so sure. The so-called "rule of law" exists here as well, drowned out by an imperfect separation of the three branches of government and the vanishing independence of the judiciary. There are forces here working to make sure that won't last.
23
@free range - the are large protests in China on a regular basis but it is never reported in western media.
8
@free range
People seem to be blind to the fact that the mere presence of these protestors, ever more disruptive and ever more violent, shows a very high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong.
This type of protests would never be allowed in mainland China. Hong Kong people should use it to make productive demands to work towards a path for universal suffrage and peaceful outcome for Hong Kong and the future of China. Hong Kong could be an example for the rest of China. I am not sure this is, the abuse and insults and disruptions, is the example that will win the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.
Some Hong Kong people do not realize that the best way to gain what they want is to win over the Chinese people on the mainland, not by antagonizing them with insults and abuses.
If there are goodwill from mainland Chinese people, then the freedom of Hong Kong will be more secure.
1
or in Chinese media either
Non-stop coverage of Hong Kong but practically nothing about what’s happening in Honduras. Our support for the right wing dictatorship whose military has shot and killed dozens of protesters recently and the total lack of news coverage, especially in the NYT is amazing.
It’s a sad commentary of our pathetic corporate news media when Americans have to go to Al Jazeera and RT to find out what’s happening in Honduras.
42
@FXQ
Any post that cites state controlled media such as RT as a source of legit news is immediately suspect.
18
The United States ranks 48th in International Press Freedom. Is corporate controlled media any better than state controlled media?
11
@Chuck Burton
In other words, you are suggesting there is no source of trustworthy news. If you believe that, you might as well live in a dictatorship where the state determines what reality is. George Orwell describes such a society in 1984. Nope. No thanks.
3
The PRC government has a long tradition of permitting student demonstrations from the May Fourth Movement. In fact back in May of 1989, before the demonstrations spun out of control, Chinese students were given free train rides to protest in Beijing, and Universities scheduled buses to transport students to and fro the demonstration sites, and politicians on opposing side of the spectrum are usually orchestrating the demonstrations behind the scene.
Inevitably, demonstrations either run out of steam, or spun out of control, and then there may or may not be crack downs because Hong Kong is no longer the crown jewel that the British was forced to repatriate back to China to wipe off the stain of the Opium War.
What the demonstrators may or may not realize is whatever damage they currently inflict on Hong Kong will only hasten Hong Kong's declining importance as an Entrepot to the Chinese Market, and a stable financial Center in Asia. Other Chinese cities like Shanghai and Canton, Singapore, or even Tokyo will be the potential beneficiaries of their demonstrations.
13
@Elizabeth
Foreign businesses will not be raring to go ANYwhere in mainland China as long as the courts there are all still controlled by the corrupt PRC.
@Elizabeth
The May Fourth Movement (1919) was way before the PRC was funded (1949). Not to mention that the Chinese Communist Party was birthed in 1921. So can you enlighten me how PRC, if ever, permitted the May Fourth Movement before its own existence?
@Elizabeth China regularly ranks high on the corruption index. The "HK"/imported mainland police dared to fire teargas and projectiles at point-blank range. Armed triad gangs indiscriminately beat up protestors with pats on the backs from the "HK police". Even journalists aren't safe from increasing aggression. And you're worried about HK losing their "financial center" status. They got nothing to lose except more eyeballs.
1
China would have been better off leaving Hong Kong
a larger form of democracy where one could travel
back and forth from Hong Kong to mainland China.
Nicholas II never found the right balance in the ruling
of the Russian Empire, likewise Modern China is changing
rapidly and attempting to squelch all dissent may lead to
a new revolution.
3
While reading the article, "Over 150 flights cancelled." it even got me mad. Just all the crowded, angry, upset people would give me so much anxiety. Now they have to make sure everyone gets a new flight and personally I do not think it is fair whatsoever. The differences between the U.S and Hong Kong are totally opposite.
1
We can learn a lot from Hong Kong, wake up people Trump hates protests we need to protest loud and long on Gun issues
and more.
4
When are we going to show up to defend our democracy?
5
Perhaps the oppressive totalitarian Beijing regime really is clearing out the camps in Xianjing. To make room for Hong Konger "etiquette" lessons.
1
If young people in the USA would hold non-violent sit in demonstrations, as in Hong Kong, and shut down the largest airports in the country while demanding very specific gun law changes we might see business put pressure on Congress for such change. The people have the power, they just don't realize it, to paraphrase John Lennon.
9
We’d surely be shot before that would come to pass.
3
@Mr. Jones Hong Kong is fighting for their survival of normal life. While some NYTimes readers will claim controlling guns is a fight for survival, it's not. Life with or without gun control does not mean I will be arrested over night. These are two very different issues.
Even in this case, when the authoritarian government is trying to erode democratic freedoms for the citizens of Hong Kong, there's a worthless white moderate who says the protestors are being too disruptive. Talk about privilege.
8
I was thinking the Hong Kong protesters need to stay indoors like at the airport. If they get out in the open area the evil Chineses will be able to use tanks and machine guns on the crowd. Past behavior will happen again if they take it outside. I would like to see main land Chinese now start demanding Democracy and to be free. Our business men should be ashamed of themselves for enabling the Communists to survive this long in power.
4
Video is circulating on Twitter of troop trucks amassing in very large numbers in Shenzhen.
https://twitter.com/AlexandreKrausz/status/1160947525442056193
The international community -- both political and business sectors -- needs to forcefully warn Beijing not to interfere with Hong Kong's democratic privileges, and under no circumstances intervene with force as they did in Tiananmen.
3
We must stop buying goods produced in mainland China, as much as possible. Economic power should be leveraged in a way that agrees with our values. Economic power is the only thing that can limit China's bad behavior.
10
Why don't you stop buying oil from Arabic Kingdoms, which clearly have no democracy？Go overthrow those kings, freedom fighter~
7
@Yu Why not do both? Although it is harder to tell if one's oil comes from Saudi Arabia, versus the US or Canada.
4
@Yu: I would, if I could. For now, I'll continue reducing my oil consumption. Still, China is worse for freedom and human rights, particularly when you look at how they push other countries around. Australia, Philippines, Canada, most of Africa, not to mention Taiwan, Hong Kong and the rest of East Asia. Then there's the issue of China's economic theft. I could go on...
3
I am an ethnic Chinese and lived in Hong Kong for over 7 years post 1997. I think the extradition bill was an impetus and wake up call for many Hong Kongers who are usually more practical and tend to focus on their own livelihoods. The fear and distrust in PRC prompted the huge outcry on the bill, and some seized the momentum to garner public support for broader issues of democracy and justice. I think those concerns are warranted, as I personally witnessed tightening controls of HK’s freedom, especially under Xi. Unfortunately, some of the radical acts of a small minority have dominated news reports and have been blown up by the PRC to justify the protests as “riots” “early signs of terrorism”. It doesn’t help when the PRC pronounced those involved in the protests as “rioters” and supporting HK’s autonomy, irregardless of the nature of their participation (many are simply protesting against the police’s measures and asking for the establishment of an independent commission). The police force’s escalating measures and violent acts committed by pro-PRC segments also created a vicious cycle of violence in HK. It is so sad to see the latest developments, and I only hope there are still some sensible people within the gov’t who would call for the establishment of an independent commission to look into the issues raised by protesters, and buy time for both sides to cool down their emotions and provide a platform to air their grievances. Good luck Hong Kong!
18
This style of protest works because Hong Kong is a city-state. The majority of the Hong Kong's citizens can join a protest at any place within its territory in a few hours. In contrast the United States is an unimaginably vast country. New Yorkers can shut down FDR, Californians can block the Golden Gate Bridge, Texans can hold a sit-in at their state capital and it won't do much except make the evening news. The few citizens of Wyoming, South Dakota and Idaho still will have just as much political power in Washington as the big states do. As long as they can't be bothered the status quo remains.
6
@Christian In the US House of Reps, every citizen in Wyoming actually has more power than citizens in every other state! The population of Wyoming(577000) is less than the number of people meant to be represented by one representative (600000 - 700000)
3
@Christian
All Americans should follow the example of Hong Kong citizens and stand together to PROTEST against our evil president and his disgusting politics.
With our cell phones, Twitter and Facebook, we too could organize a country wide protest, but unfortunately we are too selfish and lazy to give up the time and energy this would take, so we sit quietly and binge on Netflix shows, while donald trump and his cronies continue to assault what’s left of our democracy.
We should be ASHAMED of ourselves, me included.
5
Hong Kong people need to be careful.
This is not Kuwait. No overseas government will come to their rescue.
The world supports Hong Kong defense for freedom. It’s what happens when abuse boils over. Hopefully, these brave citizens won’t lose faith and continue the protests until Carrie Lam resigns and democratic elections are held soon!
7
The people of Hong Kong are inspirational. They have shown that democracy lives or dies depending on how much we are willing to fight for it. I'm humbled by their bravery. I can only hope the American people will follow suit.
12
Where is today’s youth movement?
Why are the campuses so quiet?
50 years ago in the Summer of Love things were a bit different.
Please, todays youth, make a statement and carve out a better way for your children.
6
@Robert Barker
Right on brother! But . . .
Not to remove the flowers from your hair by splitting what you may consider to be a hair, but the Summer of Love was 52 years ago.
Hong Kong was promised independence when the UK relinquished their control. This is not terrorism, it is the fight for the independence they were promised which dictator thug Xi doesn't want;now if thug trump would offer an end to his stupid tariff/trade war IF Xi gives Honk Kong their independence. Speak up UK,people are fighting for their freedoms. I know, trump cares nothing for anyone's freedoms, but one can still hope.
4
If you don't fight for you freedom, you won't have it.
9
How long will Beijing be able the restrain the People's Liberation Army from sending in volunteers to teach these Hong Kong tools of the American and British Empires a valuable educational lesson?
The Americans are misled by an ignorant immature immoral intemperate insecure diva narcissist who governs by tweeting and speaking nicknames and slurs while watching Fox News and playing golf.
While the British are being misled by British Trump into a Brexit sunset and a Masterpiece Theater sunrise.
And the Mrs. Addison Mitchell McConnell,Jr, Taiwan Lobby is a weak sister leak.
2
I'd worry more about yourself instead of what you see outside of China. Trump can be replaced one day but Emperor Xi is for life. You should consider the long term of your government instead of focusing on short term things like who is the president. At least we can get rid of an idiot president, what can you do? Obey?@Blackmamba
2
@Eddie
Who is 'we' and who is the 'idiot president'?
China didn't put 25% of the world's prisoners in American cells. With only 5% of humans and despite only 13% of them being black like Ben Carson and Tim Scott 40% of America's prisoners are black. Because blacks are persecuted for acting like white people do without any criminal justice consequences. Prison is the carefully carved colored exception to the 13th Amendment's abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude.
One day is one day too much more painful socioeconomic educational political white European American Judeo-Christian majority supremacist prejudiced bigotry for the black African American minority.
Trump won 63 million votes including 58% of the white voting majority made-up of 62% of white men and 54% of white women. An 'idiot president has lots of white supporters.
Hillary won 66 million votes including 92% of the black voting minority made-up of 88% of black men and 95% of black women.
Unlike Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia, China isn't an American parasite and scavenger pretending to be an 'ally'.
2
Peaceful protesters in Hong Kong, we stand in complete solidarity with you. America will be see mass protests like yours in the coming months. Down with Despots Trump and Xi!
5
This will undoubtedly come as a shock both to most readers and The New York Times itself, but the possible invasion of Hong Kong by China in the near future, the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom in the medium future, and the possible use of nuclear weapons in the medium future in another war between India and Pakistan are actually much more important than the latest bit of gossip, innuendo, lies, even facts in the never-ending Jeffrey Epstein soap opera.
9
@Steve Fankuchen Agreed. And the existential threat of our changing climate looms above them all.
1
@Steve Fankuchen “...the possible invasion of Hong Kong by China.” Hong Kong is a part of China.
1
These people are standing in for freedom everywhere. We could and should emulate them with mass protests in DC, surrounding the Capitol and the White House and Supreme Court Building.
1
You can blame all of this on the British. There was no reason to give HK back to China in 1997. The Brits should have taken a lesson from the Americans on how 150 year old deals work. Ask the American Indians and they'll tell you all about it.
@joe
I guess they didn’t get this news yet in China, but they are not called “Indians” anymore. Native American is the preferred term.
This will not end well.
Despite some months remaining in 2019, I'd like to see The Hong Kong Protesters named Time magazine's Person of the Year.
10
Those poor people. They know that as soon as China levies the boom and takes control, they're dead, or imprisoned for life. I wouldn't be occupying the airport, I'd be leaving on the next flight out.
1
I too am thrilled by these images...regular people standing up to a bully government.
We should all do well to remember our own power, as a people. Instead of sitting on our laurels, we should be marching in the streets against our own bully government (prez), marching for gun control, against police brutality (and that means more white folk marching, not just black folk!)
2
Keep up the good work Protesters! America believes in you!
4
This will NOT end well. Get out while you can.
Protesting at the Hong Kong International Airport is ok, but kneeling in protest of racism during an NFL game is not patriotic. American support for the Hong Kong protests is so hypocritical.
4
Citizens of Hong Kong: Freeze up the city. Take care. May the Gods be with you.
3
Why aren’t we protesting???
5
NY Times, any article planned to discuss the ramifications of the protests to the Hong Kong economy, tourism, every day families?
5
@NYLAkid
Nah. We will leave that article to the South China Morning Post.
2
Protests work. Instead of complaining and often "preaching to the choir" on social media why aren't we protesting in the US against the incompetent, criminal and wanna be dictator currently sitting in the Oval Office?
2
Watch and learn.
2
A leaderless demonstration. Really? Beijing already got the message you Hong Kongers are not happy with Xi Jinping. It is about time to stop this "leaderless" movement. What do you have to gain if Hong Kong became a lawless island? Enough is enough.
1
The protesters are nothing if not courageous, but I can’t imagine Beijing backing down to the demands of the people of Hong Kong. And such a stupid and inflammatory demand upon Cathay to fire anyone from the airline taking part in these protests simply shows the world how long the autocratic arm from Beijing really is. I would not be surprised to see martial law declared, although I would be saddened indeed by such an action.
2
Brave.
3
Beijing, don't blow it. Crush Hong Kong, and the West will flee, leaving this beautiful city a shell of itself. And then China will have lost one of its greatest assets.
2
Thank you, NYT, for the excellent accompanying video showing protesters non-violent strategies.
2
I am proud of this new generation of democracy protestors. You guys learned from the past and know that purely peaceful protests don't work. You also know how to avoid getting apprehended by the police. You guys are good at defusing the tear gas and other police tactics. Finally, you guys aren't vulnerable to being killed off by having your leader arrested or assassinated because you don't have a leader. Although I fear your end fate is the same as in 1989, you've done much more than my generation and I hope for the best.
3
Communist China isn't going to win this war for Democratic freedom. All China has to do is CANCEL, (not just suspend), the legislation for extradition to China, that started all these protests.
You see the lengths people around the world will go to so they can live in Democracies so why not leave the quasi democracy of Hong Kong the way it is instead of China showing it's true face of police state dictatorship governance that has all the hallmarks of Communism.
The human spirit is alive and well in Hong Kong and the people are not brainwashed like in China where they get taken away to re-programming camps if they step out of communist party line. It's just one step away from what North Korea does to people in it's country except less extreme.
I've just had a thought! (free thinking democratic thought)
Hong Kongians need to do a 'Brexit' and call it 'Honkit' and follow what Britain is doing to leave the EU. Get lawyers and legislators together to draw up legislation to leave China and become an independent democratic Hong Kong.
Keep honking your car and vehicle horns in support of the protests and you can't arrest people for a honking horn or two! HONKIT
3
This may be the "in" that China has been looking for... First bring in Red Army troops to open the airport and secure the transportation hubs. Then under that pretext, declare Marshall law and arrest the protestors by the thousands. Also shut down the communications with the outside world and in a worse case scenario, start a Tienanmen style assault on the remaining protestors which by the way, could end up being hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens by that time. Goodbye to Hong Kong as we know it...
2
Consider the possibility that China will bring the army in and impose marshal law to end the demonstrations. That will of course trigger a huge backlash, consider the possibility that China will then forcibly annex Hong Kong in order to bring an end to the on going disturbances to "Good Public Order." A Tienanmen Square solution writ large.
2
Better to take a real stand. Otherwise China will be "re-educating" the citizens of Hong Kong after they've finished "re-educating" the Uighurs.
George Orwell must be turning in his grave.
2
power to the people. Demonstration works for democracy!
3
This is what we need to do to stop Trump. Hong Kong protestors: You are heroes.
2
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
Somethin's gotta give,
Somethin's gotta give,
Somethin's gotta give.
We Americans, I think, are keeping our best eye on this Hong Kong brouhaha: If it works, dare we try something as brazen?
We know nothing else is working here, not Congress or the president. So what's a poor boy to do? Shut up and go home or take a big risk?
I'm too old to make it in jail so I'm shutting up. Besides (he said in a sour-grapes tone), it won't make any difference anyway. So I'll just complain to the NYTimes and go back to Netflix.
I'm a product of my environment. I saw what happened to Captain Ahab when he tried to eradicate evil, and what happened to JFK.
1
@Jim Muncy. What do you mean nothing else is working here? Just because the collusion thing didn’t work for you libs, it doesn’t mean you have the right to overturn an election. “You saw what happened to captain ahab and jfk” - what utter nonsense.
@Jackson
You're satisfied with the state of our great nation? Kids dying in holding cells, a nation thoroughly divided, a dangerous narcissist at the helm, a gridlocked government, and $22 trillion in debt? Okay, then; I'm just not.
And Trump is just a symptom of the problem. It's that some 60 million Americans think that he's the greatest statesman since Abraham Lincoln. That's stupefying.
2
Hong Kong should go for independance.
The assaults against human rights that The Mainland inflicts on the citizens daily -- hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute -- far exceeds what we fought against back in 1776.
Think of Patrick Henry's famous cry, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
2
Who can tell me the real reason that started this protest from beginning?
It’s unfortunate about the girl demonstrator whose eye was badly injured by a projectile. Nobody is 100% sure how it happened. The projectile could have come from a beanbag round fired by police or a steel ball fired by a slingshot used by a rioter. Let there be an investigation. But as usual with black shirts, it’s cause anarchy first and ask questions later. That defines a mob.
2
People who disrupt the safety and operation of an airport need to be thrown into jail. Period.
5
@Sarah
Hey “Sarah”! Did you know that your twin sister lives in New Zealand and manages a movie theatre?
2
This report is totally biased. Let's wait and see what will happen to Hong Kong if it keeps playing with fire.
3
Very sad to see what was once one of the most beautiful economically advanced and sophisticated cities in the world, thanks to the British influence and Westernization to become such a chaotic nightmare - all because the Chinese government insists on complete and absolute control over its people. Unfortunately, our current administration is not capable nor experienced enough to get involved and have a real impact on helping the wonderful people of Hong Kong maintain their country under democratic principles. The Chinese will not allow Hong Kong to be any different than any other city in China now - under strict and tight control of the government communist fist.
2
Obama certainly would have drawn a red line and then appeal to Putin to get him out of it.
A majority of comments paint a picture of evil china and heroic protesters. The situation is much more nuanced. China's ideals and values are different from the west. This doesn't mean that one value system is objectively better than the other i.e. we elected trump. China lifted millions of people out of poverty since the 1950s and contributed and continues to contribute to the world and humanity since early civilization. China makes your iPhone and everything else. You benefit from China. Hong Kong was a British colony and is repatriated to China. The government has its problems and needs to improve, but it cannot hold legitimacy without order and both sides need to talk and stop the unrest. I'm just asking people to delve a little deeper.
10
Pragmatism has to prevail. Empty phrases like "I support Hong Kong" do nothing on the ground. Those encouraging an armed uprising is just being wreckless.
I'm still optimistic that the HK government can trade economic concessions for political control. Announce a 150% increase in the rate public land used for residential housing. Increase tax deductibility of mortgage payment. Set aside 30% of land sale for a retirement fund. Create 401(k) programs where the HKMA insures downside risk up to 80%. Make HK versions of FNMA and FHLMC.
As the financial capital of East Asia, HK should get creative with economic largesse. Political freedom means little anyways when there's only 28 years left on the 50 year lease. That's not even enough time for a 30-yr mortgage.
I think many Hong Kongers will accept economic concession in lieu of political freedom. At least it gives one the means to emigrate to a truly democratic country before 2047.
Short of that, then I only hope a few typhoons pas through to give everyone a chance to de-escalate.
2
It’s so sad that many people here make a conclusion without doing any research. China has its problems, so do Hong Kong and the CCP. Things are changing over the last 20 years. It’s just not as simple as your “fight for democracy”.
6
Where is the US government on this?
This is heartbreaking. These brave young people are on the vanguard of our future pushback against the overwhelming and totalitarian might of China. Censored, ignored, and willing to sacrifice for freedom.
My heart is with these brave folks.
Where is the outpouring of support?
Why are these tariffs on "trade" instead sanctions on being a bad geo-political actor?
2
@scientella Still using your pc made in China? Still using your iPhone? Thought so.
1
Though I agree with most of the complaints of the Hong Kong protesters, I aslo remember that when the island-(once to remain part of the British Empire for 999 years), seemed to be eager to rejoin mainland China, and to return to a single people, ruled by the Communist party. I may be wrong-but I do not recall any Hong Kong citizens objecting to the return to China so much that they attempted to stop it. Insrtead, my recollection is that most islanders were eager to rid themselves of the British and , they assumed, be able to rule themselves under the one people, two systems invention.
Sad to say, Chinese nationalism has created the problems they now face. Remaining under UK rule would have been best for all HK islanders.
Current violent outbreaks of protest will inevitably give the CP of China the excuse to crush HK , and impose emergency rule from Peking-two systems will be deader then the last emperor. The Islanders will have themselves to blame for this eventuation.
2
@meloop
You must live in mainland China where the internet and all media is controlled by the communist party government, because you are spouting the party story about Hong Kong pre-1999 and attempting to revise history. Every foreign worker and their spouse was approached multiple times by citizens of Hong Kong wanting help immigrating or getting a passport to whichever country you were from, because they were afraid they were not going to be able to get out of HK if the Chinese government didn’t live up to what they said was going to happen when they took over. Although I didn’t take a poll, no one EVER said to me or anyone that I knew, “Gee, I’m glad Hong Kong is reverting to China!”
3
@meloop This is wrong. Some so desperate to escape China they swam to freedom in Hong Kong. Hong Kong jammed with freedom loving Cantonese speaking people, escaping the oppression on in the mainland for life on a junk and freedom.
Compared to this, our protests here in the states are nothing but child’s play. The closest we have come to a general uprising is Puerto Rico where the people brought down their governor because they had had enough of the political corruption of the local Democratic Party which ran the place. We don’t hear very much about that in the media. In places like Seattle and California, however, the protestors and even Antifa are basically just posing for the cameras. Trump has nothing to worry about.
If protests weren't disruptive,
then no one would care.
That 52 year old movie theater manager totally missing the point on democracy, as he flies to his country where rights are protected.
5
The protested disrupted public order and police responded and now they proclaim that they are protesting for police brutality, didn't they get themselves in the pit in the first place?
There has to be other more peaceful way.
3
Xi has worked to consolidate his domestic power and become de facto president for life. He is spending money on military upgrades to consolidate his foreign power. He will not take no for an answer. This will end in bloodshed, and a lot of it.
2
These people are fighting for there freedom! China is run by a brutal repressive dictatorship. We had our moment in America in 1776, and the British allowed far more freedom to the Americans then the Chinese allow their people almost 250 years later. Let’s give these people moral support. I have spent a lot of time in Hong Kong, the people there will put up with a lot, but they are being pushed to the wall by the same people who steal our own technology and can not be trusted as a country. China is a major threat to the world democracies.
4
I lived in HK for 16 years in the 70s and 80s. Given the "One country, two systems" mantra I simply cannot understand why the British government is standing by silently, and failing to attempt to intervene in this bloody conflict. As an aside, Carrie Lam comes across as a stubborn little old lady, but of course we do not know what her orders from China have been.
4
I am sympathetic to protesters in Hong Kong and their desire to live in a more democratic society. But I have been reading articles about the situation there for some time now, and I am left with just one question in my mind.
Why on earth hasn't the Chinese government revoked Hong Kong's special status, sent in their army and shot all protesters in the streets already? What are they waiting for? What kind of incompetent jokers are running this supposedly brutal dictatorship?
The only reason the Chinese communist party rules China today is because they were capable of sending the troops into Tiananmen Square when the situation called for it. I fear that this generation of Chinese leaders do not have the courage to make the kind of hard decisions that their predecessors did.
2
@A Cynic
You begin by saying,"I am sympathetic to protestors in Hong Kong and their desire to live in a more democratic society."
You go on to say that you "fear that this generation of Chinese leaders do not have the courage to make the kind of hard decisions that their predecessors did."
The hard decisions: to send in the army and shoot all the protesters.
You FEAR that they do not have the courage to shoot all the protesters? You FEAR that they cannot be brutal dictators?
That's quite a cognitively dissonant sympathy for the protesters that you express.
4
I am just so proud of the people of Hong Kong. It is inspiring. People standing up to the world's most powerful surveillance state. David vs. Goliath. GO DAVID!
14
Why do I have the strange feeling that the escalating protests in Hong Kong could very well give Xi Jinping a rare opportunity and bargaining chip to end a fruitless Trade war by stepping in to offer Hong Kong citizens an Olive Branch to peaceful, orderly, and open negotiations, instead of another Tiananmen Square disaster.
The whole world is watching.
3
Hong Kong is chinas gateway to an increasingly skeptical world, and that can’t be measured in raw GDP numbers. They would do well to keep their hands off a vital conduit whose fair courts have assuaged the fears of foreign investors. Xi crushes them at his own peril.
15
Your view is more wishful thinking than reality. Since 1994 Mainland dependence on Hong Kong as a financial conduit has steadily lessened. The protesters are in any ways insuring a dismal financial future.
And I wonder how many medical emergencies went untreated as a result of the airport closure?
4
@ColoK did you read the current issue of the Economist? 70% of capital into China came from Hong Kong, they are not 100% reliant on Hong Kong and that is true. Any use of military forces will prove disastrous to Hong Kong, China and the whole world. Well, this is not to say that China has not had a hand in it. Some have said that the army or Chinese police have already penetrated as some Hong Kong police in action refused to show their warrant cards or IDs and some used Mandarin instead of Cantonese (local dialect).
3
A few years back I stopped reading The Economist, as it seemed every article was written by the same person: identical viewpoint in every article, same prose style. This is back when The Economist was, among other things, was predicting India’s economy would surpass China’s.
Hong Kong is the conduit, not the provider of capital. Think London after Brexit: the conduit can be moved.
1
In the normal course of events we could wait for the next election or use impeachment to remove Trump. But the current situation is no different than Al Capone in the 1930's. Capone bought the judges who should have prosecuted him. Likewise, Trump has usurped the rule of law via his domination of the Justice Dept. He has committed repeated acts of obstruction but escapes prosecution because of an "opinion" by the Office of Legal Counsel. Finally, Trump has neutered R senators rendering impeachment impossible.
Therefore, when all legal processes have been exhausted, it is up to the citizenry to rise up and demand the offenders are removed from power.
Before the 2020 election, look for Trump to employ the War Powers Act to keep him in office and suspend the Bill of Rights.
Think it can't happen in America? Tell that to the Ukrainians.
10
I fear that "Hong Kong" will soon be added to "Tianamen" as a symbol of Chinese Communist atrocities. Not that that will have any practical effect on our relationship with China when we have a president who prefers dictators and autocrats to democratically elected leaders.
16
@Jon Orloff When Beijing steps in it will not be nice.
These people are in a state of insurrection that cannot and will not be tolerated for much longer.
The failure to put this down is a loss of face which Beijing leaders cannot tolerate.
There are a lot of people going to disappear and China will not care because China will be China, and there is nothing anyone can do about it but write protests to the news papers.
It will all become yesterdays news.
It's all about business and money. Always follow the money.
@Jon Orloff
Tiananmen.
This isn’t even close to the level of the Tiananmen Square protests. One lady got hit in the eye. Nobody knows if it was a tear gas canister or a slingshot from some protestors. Uncertainty may be high but this isn’t even close to the level of brutality brought on by the French police during the yellow vest protests (which are still happening but NYT and BBC’s editing staff are not allowed to write about it these days because of government pressure).
@Jon Orloff. So liberals are now ready to go to war with China? I suppose you have given up your iPhone in protest, right?
1
The woman from New Zealand misses the big picture with her conclusion that “Hong Kong was stable. It was one of the safest places in the world. This damages the image of Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong was stable by dint of the government and values that were in place in 1997 when England relinquished its voice - the values that the protesters are risking themselves to save. The protesters have seen and understood the writing on the wall, vividly evidenced by Xi's CCTV and DNA assault on the Uighers.
It is not the protesters who are damaging the image and safety of Hong Kong - it is the dictator Xi and his enablers. Godspeed to these courageous, passionate and far-sighted protesters; they are the only hope for Hong Kong.
62
@AMLH Do not encourage them. China will step in and it will not be nice. When they do there will be no place to run.
Bullets are cheap, and China has a lot of them.
Like it or not, they cannot win. China has not changed in five thousand years, they certainly will not cave to this mob of people causing civil insurrection.
@annoyed
It is our good fortune that Washington, Madison, Jefferson, et. al. did not subscribe to your outlook.
I traveled for work to Hong Kong several times before it was returned to Chinese oversight. It was one of my favorite cities, at once modern and traditional. The food was great, Kowloon fascinating to a westerner with its tea shops and temples and night markets where vendors held up Rolex lookalikes and shouted “copy watch, copy watch.” After Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule and long before the current protests the character of the city changed as thousands of mainland Chinese poured into a city already bursting at the seams. One cannot help but worry that these protests will end in a Tianamen Square moment.
18
Some facts here. Hong Kong is responsible for raising 70% of China's foreign capitals. Most of the close relatives of the top Chinese leaders park their monies in HK. Shanghai is not going to overtake HK as the financial hub because their panda courts cannot be trusted. The other major factor is unification with Taiwan. If China moves her army into HK, that will be the end of all those mentioned above. That's why CCP started using gangsters and escalating the use of near lethal forces on the protesters.
26
China is stepping in a fire ant nest, and Hong Kong will not give up. How does China save face and retreat.
8
@Mango Jam Beijing has them exactly where they want them. Just like the Warsaw ghetto.
There is no place to run.
They will get put in place and business will return to normal.
Business is money, always follow the money.
And quite frankly people love to spout platitudes of support, but people have important issues in their normal every day lives, and HK is not one of them.
China risks killing Hong Kong as we know it in their mistaken effort to "save" it. What makes Hong King so special is its openness and its freedom-loving citizens. The city grew to one of the most beautiful and vibrant in the world and China faces a huge setback to its reputation if it sends in troops. It will be much what Russia faced after its invasion in Eastern Europe. The most logical move is for de-escalation, but since when are dictators logical?
7
Has anyone fact-checked on the so-called gasoline bomb? Like where and when it occur and 3rd party footage? I haven't found any except for those from mainland official sources.
3
I have the uneasy feeling that the Hong Kong protestors are overplaying their hand, and that they are being covertly encouraged to do so from within by the mainland intelligence services to justify military action.
6
Hong Kong should not have been ever handed over to China by UK.It was a great blunder and similar to what they did in the partition of India.Hong Kong people should be given independent status and be made a free country or a terrtory free from any military scare.
10
@Rishi sad but this is one of many terrible things done in that part of the world by the UK. Read up on the opium trade. Maybe Brexit is the final nail in the coffin of that terrible kingdom. Maybe the individual countries can do better.
1
@Rishi You are saying Japanese should have been allowed to keep Singapore, Philippine, several American islands, etc. after the Second World War? With the internet, nothing makes sense anymore. There are too many senseless or even illiterate people took over the platform.
1
Once China labels this protest as "terrorism" they'll use that to justify their newfound 'solution' - re-education camps, like in Xinjiang. They have thus far gotten away with it because of the remoteness and relative poverty of that area, but will they get away with it in Hong Kong? And if they do, how many US businesses will jump on board to help them out in creating a digital police state, in order to make a fast buck?
8
@Take a nap Not jump on board, but jump off.
It's all about the money, and jumping effects the bottom line.
I'm frustrated by this 'masterly inactivity' from the West on HK protest. Is there a single measure to support the people who're fighting for their freedom? If we're afraid of irritating China for doing something, well, it doesn't make sense as China is going to use this as anti-west propaganda and take the West for responsible anyway -- they view every pro-democracy movement as 'conspiracy of the West'. So keeping silent at this moment is exactly an action of 'appeasing totalitarian and expansionist power' -- feel like the Munich Agreement of the 21st century is on its way. Sad.
9
@Chen Wang
Agree, It is an utter disgrace. As is silence from the "Democrats" ! Cowards! acking true leadership. Hong Kong is the epicenter of this century power struggle.
1
The US was instigating the protests and riots in HK as early as June when Pence met with HK independence rebels. Last week the US HK highest diplomat was photographed meeting with radicals in her office. US non-governmental agencies (front for the CIA) provide funding to radicals. This is not about democracy, not about free speech, it's an insurrection fomented by Pompeo, Bolton, and acolytes, but not Trump. Actually, HK police have use incredible restraints so far. Now radicals are pelting them with gasoline bombs (so-called petrol bombs). Had this sort of thing happened in the US there would be dozens of people dead already. It's a miracle no one has died so far in HK. The HK government has used considerate force so far, at the clear expense of the HK economy. US is sitting back hoping to destabilize China. There are 6000 PLA servicemen in HK who have not been mobilized yet. There are 12000 PLA servicemen waiting ready in Shenzhen next door to HK. If China had wanted to really use force, they would have done it already. But as some point it will be unavoidable. The people in Washington orchestrating this disaster should be tried for the crimes they are perpetrating. The kids in HK are just being fooled. They understand nothing; never been to China most of them, and have a mind impregnated by 150 of colonialism. Brought up hating a ghost. Everyone who understands HK knows that the reaction to the extradition law was hysteria. The US and Britain's actions are shameful.
5
@Blue Sky White Clouds
Another among the many anti-protester comments to this article that have the odor of job-work about them coming from the Chinese equivalent of Russia's Internet Research Agency.
2
I noticed that the Chinese gov't is beginning to use language such as "terrorism" to describe the protesters actions which of course is ridiculous. Thank you to the chief of police for quickly correcting this however it seems as if the seed is being planted for an increase in violence against the protestors.
5
There was a time not so long ago, when the US government would take a stand supporting democracy. Not any more. Just counting the days before Trump and the GOP throw HK under the bus, laughing while they do it....
4
I'm afraid this is not going to end well for the Hong Kongers demonstrating for freedom. If Beijing chooses to end the 50 year agreement, there is virtually nothing anyone else can do about it, but I for one would urge Britain, Australia, and the U.S. to take in as many Hong Kong natives as possible if they want to leave. They can speak English, love freedom, and are good hardworking, and talented people. They should be welcome, not treated like "invaders".
5
The power to disrupt is the only weapon these young people have, and they are using it in an effort to attain some basic rights. Brute force and violent assault is the domain of China, as they seek to crush the basic right to protest. These young people are not asking for something outlandish, they just don't want to be treated as slaves to the State.
9
Time for Hong Kong Independence. The US must support and stand with democracy. Where is the UK? Awfully silent. Too occupied with Brexit?
5
Stand up Hong Kong!
Fight for your right, and tell the world what an unlawful dictatorship the Mainland is.
Tell everyone.
Be brave.
Because the thing that dictators fear the most are people pointing out right and wrong.
9
These demonstrations, and those in PR, inspire me so much! Look at that airport! Civil disobedience and nonviolent protest really do work as a big factor in keeping the powerful from running over the masses; the people for whom they are supposed to be working.
I will proudly be part of the resistance like this against the trump administration, and it probably won't be long. He's now advocating rounding up LEGAL immigrants too, just as predicted. And tearing up the endangered species act. AND selling America's public lands to strip mining companies and bottled water franchises. AND flirting with Kim and Putin while spreading doubt about America's intelligence community. AND caging little children. AND rounding up undocumented employees, leaving their little ones stranded, while ignoring the (mega donors Koch bros) processing plant employer. AND hiring the undocumented for his own trump properties, like shhhhhh. E-Verify? What a joke!! AND allows a ConAgra lobbyist to run the dept of agriculture, which suddenly finds that the dangers of roundup have been overstated by lefties. The EPA suddenly finds that since lead occurs in nature, it must be ok to let industries dump it into our water supply. I'm not kidding. These and many many many many many more things 'trigger' me, as republicans like to sneer. They would have triggered President Washington too. I will stand in solidarity to America the Beautiful just as these people are standing up for THEIR democracy.
4
I hope and pray that the protesters in Hong Kong do not encounter too much violence from the government.
I look upon their determination with respect.
I wish we could get it together like them here in America!!
1
Pauline Price's comment was striking to me... Hong Kong was never stable. Not since it became a British colony which has changed the cultural fabric in a way that China cannot accept and wishes to undo. There has always been an undercurrent of unease that has built for decades ever since being handed back to China and truly, even before then. The people are fighting to keep that safety and stability that Pauline enjoys...
These protests are an act of desperation with the knowledge that more likely than not, China will win because of its political and economic power. But China has everyone wrapped around their finger because countries couldn't look away from the money. It's a matter of when. No other country is willing to take on China like they have done with Russia.
Culturally - China is terrifying, the lengths that they are willing to go to and the general apathy of the Chinese people I have met... they will never speak against the government and their actions. There is no accountability. Hong Kong knows they have so much to lose and are being attacked from all sides. Zero trust in the government, or the police given all the accusations that have come to light - I think China knows better than to be heavy handed, and instead slowly increase pressure until you don't realize you're being crushed. Terrifying. America needs to take back the reins and appreciate what they have.
6
The Chinese regime is only legitimate insofar as it fosters constant progress toward full democracy. Once it Is seen as fully illegitimate, we should begin full sanctions on China just as we have with Russia. Let their mafia governments plot together. We need not fear this mafia.
@rjs7777
Sanctions on China? Well I hope you enjoy the rest of your life in poverty then.
"If you risk nothing you gain nothing" The people of HK are unified individuals that are fighting the improbable. Unfortunately China will use force and outweigh the true power of these Citizens. Hong Kong I stand beside you and your long walk to freedom, the world watches on and supports you!
4
Freedom isn’t handed to you. You must seize it and defend it. Hats off to these brave Hong King citizens.
My only wish is that more U.S. citizens are watching, are paying attention to what is happening to their own democracy, and will follow the example in Hong Kong.
8
I wish Americans had such resolve.
6
My best wishes to Hong Kongers for their courage in trying to hold on to democracy. I hope it works, but there is going to be a bloody crackdown. The Chinese Communist Party are tigers. They have eaten people before and they will do it again.
1
Asia cannot operate without the Hong Kong airlink. I suppose the protestors understands the geographic cataclysm and importance of the hub. All of Asia is upset as the economies are connected like rebar in concrete to one another. The supply of protestors notwithstanding, the historic principalities that were carved out of special condition and operated mostly autonomously irrespective of NOT being sovereign are sad vestiges of history (like Alabama or Mississippi). The protest might have been seething underground sense 1997 when the UK ceded everything back to China (sense 1841 when they stole the city firstly). The argument to keep Hong Kong separate and distinct from Beijing because they help pay the rent is not entirely farfetched as Hong Kong took off like a rocket ship when the UK departed. All you really need to do is to place ten million bright orange road cones (the ones being used to snuff out tear gas) around the outer limits of Hong Kong (and ignore the protesters). Geophysical realities cannot be overcome with Hong Kong and that is why the UK relented and pulled out. Beijing might be smart to do nothing and send lemonade and Coca-Cola to the protestors. The students will need passports and French Fries and jobs and life. Hong Kong is not sovereign and the UK cannot help anyone nor themselves.They left Hong Kong and without ever looking back.
1
The writer is lost in detail & neglects the simple truth: Hong Congers are attempting to hold on to their democracy. Their efforts are probably doomed, because neither the US or any major power will risk war with China to aid this relatively small population.
I'm a native New Yorker. I travelled to China 9 summers ago. My last stop was Hong Kong. It was the only part of China that felt like home to me, the only part of China that felt free. I salute the Hong Kong demonstrators for their brave attempt to keep democracy alive.
172
@Jenifer Wolf Hong Kong never had a democracy. They are just trying to hold on to the freedoms and rights promised them at the handover to China in 1997. Statements of support don't help much when they start out with a falsity.
7
@Jenifer Wolf We lived in Hong Kong in the mid-80's and even then the looming 1997 deadline for the end of their colonial status was widely worried about. The assumption of both the HK Chinese and the expat community was that the British would deny British passports to as many HKers as they could, eagerly hand HK over and run away as fast as they could leaving the HK people to the tender mercies of the Chinese Communist Party, who had been steadily telling their people for decades that Hong Kong people could not wait to be reunited with their Chinese brothers and sisters. Most Mainland Chinese had no idea that most HK Chinese preferred remaining a British colony to forcible reunification with the PRC. NO ONE expected it to work out well for Hong Kong. Any HK person who was able to had a foreign passport and was prepared to bolt. On subsequent visits back to HK, I have seen the resentment and animosity towards Mainland China growing deeper and deeper. Sadly, this will not end well but I have a huge amount of respect for the brave HKers. "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose..."
15
i love it when the simple power of a united people erupts into view; it's a wonderful confirmation of the potential good in people and of the power of economic disruption as an instrument of popular will.
46
Kind of like how the US politicians do with the different races, but different.
I love that the people of Hong King are standing up for democracy. History has shown us, however, that China will crack down militarily and reimpose control. Many will lose their lives and the leaders of the protests will disappear never to be seen again. Martial law will be imposed, the West will condemn the actions of the Chinese government but will ultimately do nothing. In a year we will have forgotten. Sad times we live in.
48
@TW, I'm sure people said the same thing to those on the other side of the Berlin Wall, or those fighting against apartheid in S.Africa back in the days. If you give up before even trying, then you're done for. That generation in Hong Kong in the 1980s during the negotiations between Britain and China was the ones who gave up without any fight, leaving the mess to the generations today to fight this hopeless fight. But, these young people have far more spine than many, including naysayers. Have a little faith. It'll do you good.
2
@TW
I have a feeling the PRC government is going to wait it out. Contrary to what you might believe, HK has high poverty, a lot of these demonstrators will eventually have to get back to work to put food on the table.
I work at one of countless international companies that have a large presence in Hong Kong. I can tell you without fear of contradiction, that’s not going to last much longer under the circumstances. Hong Kong will cease to be a major financial and corporate center in very short order of China doesn’t appease the protesters, who obviously aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
34
@Mike Agreed. But, it's not just this...it's the HK citizens being abducted in HL and ending up in China for tortured confessions, its the Expat not being given a visa because he made comments Beijing believed to be anti-China. When does Google get censored?
These types of Chinese actions create an environment where Western businesses cannot operate freely.
@Mike, Sooner or later, China will relegate Hong Kong to be just another city another. All that people like you can scare people off the street, is to dangle the economic carrot in front of them. But for so many young people, the future is rather hopeless anyways.
Thirty years ago, Hong Kong's GDP was more than 20% of China's. Today, it's less than 3%. Do you seriously think Hong Kong has ANYTHING left to fight for in another 20 years' time, when 2047 rolls around?
1
The BBC interviewed the Chinese ambassador to the EU on Friday. It was apparent from his comments that the Chinese government is unsure what to do. Uncertainty in China is usually a bad thing (recall Tienamin Square) and is likely to result in more, not less, repressive measures. After all, to the government the lesson of Tienamin Square is that in 6 months the West will have forgotten all about it and moved on to the next cause celebre. The Chinese are much better at considering and acting based on the long view of any problem.
6
@Tom I admire the protesters in Hong Kong. They are heroes of democracy.
They put us to shame.
1
@Tom I think you need to become more familiar with the Chinese government. They aren't much better at considering and acting based on the long view. Besides this Hong Kong fiasco, another example is Xinjiang, which went to a minor issue to now full blown concentration camps in less than 20 years. It will not get any better anytime soon. The Chinese government has only itself to blame.
It I quite clear that Xi is losing control on many fronts. He rode to permanent power on the coat tails of the US. But now is looking like a loser. Shrinking economy. Hong Kong out of control. Pro democracy thoughts abounding. Internet pervading his propaganda. Tariffs galore. Reputation of a cheater and currency manipulator. He does not look like an Icon any more. Now he looks like a fumbling dictator, which are his true colors.
40
These demonstrators have got a huge amount of courage. If only we could act with the same fervent against Trump and his house of madness.
121
@Easy Goer
Except Americans would not be forced to use bean bags and rocks when there are so many guns handy! Thank God for the Second Amendment!
@Easy Goer
Go for it Chuckie. Line up your fellow travelers and march to JFK Airport, or O'Hare and attempt to disrupt its functioning and see what happens and how fast.
Ridiculous in every way to compare us to a police state dictatorship. This is called Trump derangement syndrome by many on the right and I’m starting to believe it.
2
All the "outsiders" might need to spend some time understanding where this one incident started, and more time on the long-term intricate relationship between Hong Kong and mainland. The amendment on the legislation has been called off, but the protests still escalated to a highly violent level, clearly there's another agenda here. So please, it's not as simple and naive as "we support democracy".
The central government didn't make any claims nor actions just till today, which the protests has obviously threatened the safety of HK (A CHINESE TERRITORY) and mainland China; The government didn't intervene the initial protests at all, and called off the amendment. That is a true and admirable practice of "one country, two system". Actually on Sunday night, there are still 600 drones all lightened up above Shenzhen Bay (right across HK), saying "we love Hong Kong" and showing the olive branch from the mainland civilians.
There are a lot of things the "outsiders" don't see. HK is the most free and democratic place in the world after 1997. Not every government is able to manage the two systems like China does. Please do more research on the culture and history, instead of making the judgement solely based on the association with 1989 Tiananmen.
As outsiders we should give the doubt that is it a legit pursuing of democracy, or practice violence under the name of democracy, potentially for some 3rd party interests?
20
the amendment was not called off. it was suspended. it can still be re-introduced.
freedom of speech has suffered massively in HK since 1997.
69
Over the the last several years, China has been slowly changing the game plan. Initially, HK was to be independent for 50 years. Instead, the mainland “managed” the recent elections ensuring that only approved candidates, those who towed the central government line, ran for office. Newspapers have been closed and protesters beaten by, alleged, Triad thugs, again supported by the central authorities.
I has hardly been a bystander to all this. Combined with their constructing islands in the South China Sea inhabited by soldiers, China is continuing its advancement toward domination of the region. This is a journey the people of HK refuse to take.
10
@SunnySideUp
"HK is the most free and democratic place in the world after 1997."
Umm, I don't think so. Only half of the legislative council seats are chosen by the residents. The other half are chosen by the business tycoons with economic ties to the mainland. And the Chief Executive is a Beijing crony.
10
1997 + 50 = 2047.
That's when HK will be fully integrated into China,
a country with a long enough history that
28 more years is a flash.
8
@Zetelmo what a quaint sentiment. The world will be over by then anyway so what does it matter?
@Zetelmo, And your point being?
1
The protesters of Hong Kong are impressive. Unfortunately, Americans are still too complacent to organize and protest, because they are too preoccupied with counting their money. The rich, the "winners", because they count to see how they can keep their exorbitant caches intact and away from everyone else, and everyone else, the "losers" because they count to see if they can manage to pay their bills in a winner-take-all capitalist country. In America, it really is all about the money. Change will only happen when we reach a critical mass of hunger, heat, loss of utilities, disease or homelessness.
18
@GMR. Do tell us what we should be protesting.
This will not end well. China is never going to give up Hong Kong without a fight and they're not above massacring thousands. The only thing that might hold them back would be an overwhelming show of support from the international community. The US isn't doing much to help and probably will not so long as Trump and his hopelessly inept government are in charge, but I encourage other countries to make a show of support. Make it clear that trade ties, business deals, and trillions of dollars are on the line - and be ready to shut it all down if China behaves badly.
27
How can our countries support the young people in Hong Kong who are risking so much. I am in support of the protesters however also I fear for their safety. Who is protecting them as we watch from our comfortable positions?
23
Take a good long look... it's only a matter of time before it's us.
We're on the edge of global systemic change here with climate change, automation, and population expansion all reaching an apex around the same time... within the next 50 years... and we're doing nothing about any of them.
They are inevitable. And so is the chaos that will follow... if we don't act now. And we're not... we argue about systemic change. Pundits write columns of how democrats are asking for too much...
They aren't asking for enough.
How is a society built on jobs going to last when there are no jobs... and everyone is displaced because they can no longer grow where they live... or they're under water... and there are twice as many of us around...?
It's coming... this protest is actually serene compared to what is coming...
27
@J Such drama. What exactly “is coming”?
@J . Only some of us in the US see and acknowledge this. The rest think we should take the US back 100 years. This is a daunting problem when the populace is so easy to propagandize and our leaders are liars.
1
I feel very sad for the inspiring people of Hong Kong. It will turn out to be like the Hungarian revolution of 1956, where the Hungarians who wanted a freer political and social life were crushed by tanks from the Kremlin.
14
@edgardomoreta
Hong Kong, by any quantitative and qualitative measures, has a freer political and social life than before 1997! It has an imperfect electoral system where the CE is elected by an election committee of half appointed representatives and half elected representatives. China wanted to negotiate with Hong Kong towards a universal suffrage model but gradually but this was completely rejected by the pan-democrates - a party of no that says no to everything but has built nothing. The pan-dems wanted all or nothing. So Hong Kong is left with no path to universal suffrage.
1
@edgardomoreta
So the west, before lending its full support to any group of people claiming they are "pro democracy" needs to take a hard look at these people.
These "freedom fighters", like many radical revolutionaries before them, are deaf to differences of opinions, believe that power can only be gained through confrontation and violence, and that any means justify their cause. Most importantly, their cause is the only just one. They insult and abuse anyone disagree with them in real life or online, while all the while hiding behind masks and anonymous accounts.
If and when such people come to power they will be much worse than the current government - they will be intolerant and self righteous. Most importantly, they are ignorant of history and geopolitics. If people understand Chinese/Cantonese, they can listen to what these people routinely shout out as racist insults and abuse against mainland Chinese.
Democracy? The British brainwashed generations of Hong Kong people into thinking they are "not Chinese". This is the toxic consequence.
@edgardomoreta
The protests started as a fear of the potential extradition bill with China (though Hong Kong has extradition bill with 18 countries including the US, whereas China has extradition bills with many countries including France, Spain and Italy), and they were largely peaceful and incident-free.
Then the government suspended the extradition bill and the CE pronounced it "dead" in her tenure. But a fraction of the protest movement then went on with 5 demands, coupling the demand with a complete withdrawal of the bill with demands for the CE to step down, and for releasing all rioters unconditionally. When the government refuses to accept these conditions, the rioters became ever more violent. Rumours abound. Fake news spread. And their slogan is distinctively independence (which has no support from the general public) and provocative of Chinese sovereignty.
It is now holding all Hong Kong hostage, crippling the economy and undermining the very rule of law they claim they are afraid of losing. So the protest is becoming a movement of self-fulfilling prophecy. The opposition wants to show the world that Hong Kong is dying under China sovereignty and the current Hong Kong government and they are going to wreck Hong Kong in order to achieve that goal and support their claim! This is blatant terrorism.
1
China cannot suppress the aspirations of millions of its citizens especially as their living standards increase. To avoide major bloodshed, President Xi should be replaced by a moderate leader for maintaining peace and prosperity in China.
30
Why are all the Democratic Presidential candidates silent here ?? This is the perfect time for them to speak out for democracy for all Chinese and contrast themselves with Trump who sheepishly says it is "an internal matter."
53
Unfortunately, they seem to be pandering to get votes. Not standing for anything, Free TIBET!!
9
I wish the protestors tenacity and strength. However I fear that soon enough the controlling and corrupt Mainland (who the HK tycoons tacitly support) will tamp down these protests with force and completely overtake all HK societal systems including the legal, political, economic and educational systems.
16
So impressed with the people of Hong Kong who are willing to put their lives and well being on the line to protect their democracy. Praying for them. I why the police don't realize they are on the wrong side in this demonstration.
These protesters and their tactics are remarkable. Praying for their success, otherwise this is the future for all of us.
61
I admire their sheer recklessness, but fear for their safety. What a horrible political situation to be in.
22
The protesters should be very careful. Those of us that are over 40 or 50 years old can recall how the Chinese react when pushed over the line, they'll just roll in with tanks and troops, kill whoever they feel is leading the protests and shut it down.
14
China says the protestors are being infiltrated with terrorist agitators and this is grounds for a head-bashing take-over of the entire Hong Kong province by elite police/military units. Very serious apogee is coming to a climax, and soon.
11
@Moe
I wonder if those infiltrating terrorist agitators might not just be coming from the mainland courtesy of the communist party higher ups.
My heart aches for the people of Hong Kong. having grown up in Taiwan, I feel a kinship with HKers. One Country Two Systems is the lie fed to pro unification faction of Taiwan as well. Here we see that mask violently torn apart by Beijing itself. China is one of the largest oppressive authoritarian governments in the world, masquerading as a modernized nation with their glimmering cities and high rises and deep pockets. Beijing is now falsely calling the protestors terrorists which one can assume will justify further violent suppression by the government. Beijing is staggeringly powerful and I'm deeply moved by the determination and bravery of the HKers in the face of an otherwise hopeless situation. Fight on, stay strong, take care and know the world cannot be brainwashed like the rest of China. The free people of the world see you and stand by you.
132
Like many others who have interest in China, I have been closely following HK protests right from their beginning. After two months, the protesters have achieved their declared goal of stopping HK legislation from passing a bill that would have allowed extraditions of anyone arrested in HK to mainland China. But the protests are continuing; in fact they seem to be expanding.
To any impartial observer it is now clear that the protests original goal has evolved into something else. Many have suggested that those who are orchestrating these protests are bent on creating a situation where Beijing has no choice but to send its military into HK to restore calm to streets.
How the resulting chaos can serve the long and short-term interests of Hong Kong citizens is difficult to see. Some have suggested scenes reminiscent of Soviet tanks on the streets of Prague in the spring of 1968. As protests are reaching HK Airport, many international passengers have started to avoid Hong Kong. The HK large, prosperous, tourist industry as well as virtually millions of moms-and-pops businesses are already suffering from their absence.
On the surface, the protests have no clear leadership. The gatherings and sit-ins are all organized through social media. But that also opens the door for Beijing to accuse "outsiders" for the planning and managing the entire movement from neighboring countries. Undoubtedly, that would be the Beijing main rational, if it ever decides to intervene in HK.
14
@Eddie B. I don't think they agree that the goal was met. The rule was only put aside not withdrawn. It can be revived at any time. That is what these protests are about.
2
On the female protester whose right eye was shot last night -- the diagnosis was "ruptured eye ball, fractured bones under the eye, torned tear duct, and injury to the brain behind the eye". One report mentioned that she was herself providing first aid to others with cover from a bus station at the time, and looked out briefly and was shot at very short range, and the projectile was clearly aimed at her eye. The remains of a beanbag round was photographed on her broken eye mask (3M eye mask for protection against tear bombs). People were angry that she will not just lose her eyesight, but will be seriously disfigured (or even disabled).
36
I fear the Communist Regime seating in Beijing since 1949 ilegally (as it was never voted into power by a fair and democratic election) will eventually crush the HK Freedom Movement as it crushed the Tianamen Freedom Movement 30 years ago. Of course, by doing that it will bury the "One Country Two Systems" Mantra, which was always a plain lie. But it is HK that will suffer the most.
22
Let’s not be naive. Mainland Chinese soldiers are already battling protestors in Hong Kong, partially why Hong Kongers are so mad.
They get to the border and change clothes to Hong Kong police uniforms. Learned from Putin.
58
@Jay Lincoln - "They get to the border and change clothes to Hong Kong police uniforms."
There is already a very large mainland military barrack in HK. Mainland China military doe not needs "to get to the border."
8
Actually, yes they do.
The Chinese military already in Hong Kong can’t train for anti riot protests and then just leave their barracks to battle protesters. People know those soldiers. It’d be too obvious and easily detected.
10
@Jay Lincoln
I am not sure if you know China and HK well enough. The main roads between the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and the Mainland run across the Shenzhen Province 30 Km (approximately) border. That border is fully populated on both sides (we are talking about a country with 1.3 billion people). Trust me, no military movement through that border will go undetected.
8
I am a loyal Cathay Pacific customer and I fly with them more than several times per year.
If the airline caved to pressure from Beijing, I will join a boycott against the airline.
#boycottCX
62
@Celeste - I guess that you are referring to the need for the airlines to give information on the crew? You should know that the US already has the same requirement. Even Canadian domestic flights are subject to the US regulation is their flight path is in part over US territory. The result is Canadians unable to take a domestic flight because their are on the US on-fly list, often wrongly.
3
@Celeste I'm with you. Had been my airline of choice; flown on them dozens of times, but no longer.
3
@Celeste
I don't want any hot heads pilot my flight. No matter their grievance is justified. Recall MH370?
The Kashmiris have just been stripped of their autonomy, and most of Indians are cheering. But there is little outcry from western govts, because India is a democracy. This is the hypocrisy of liberal democratic govts and media that tarnishes the liberal democratic ideals.
29
I admire these people. They understand how fragile democracy is. Many appear young. Imagine if the young people in this country came out en masse and protested our corrupt government. Imagine that they put down their phones and rise up. Imagine that they can imagine that this administration is stealing their future and they feel compelled to do something about it. I can dream, can't I?
330
@lulu roche - America has it's issues as does any democracy, but it's orders of magnitude better than the situation in Hong Kong not to mention China. That you label it "corrupt" and create a false equivalency says more about you than America.
12
@lulu roche They did after the Parkland shootings and nothings happened.
18
@Jay Lincoln Keep fooling yourself about a "landslide" election. He won by about 80,000 votes spread over three states which tipped the electoral votes to him. Clinton won the popular vote by 3,000,000. As for dictator -- the only thing preventing Trump from being one is the Constitution which he and his cronies are trying mightily to overthrow.
39
It is long overdue for Chinese people everywhere to rise up against communist tyranny. Freedom will come when the people join together to stand up for their rights against unelected tyrants — the same lesson Americans woke up to in 1776. Even though my flight has been cancelled I am smiling in solidarity overseas.
216
@Hacked You don't understand the complexity among the Chinese people. While people in mainland China often find corruption and malpractice of local officers annoying, they have no problem embracing Xi's vision of MCGA. And native Hongkong people have been quite hostile and aggressive to mainland tourists and immigrants for ages, making it difficult for the majority of Chinese people to feel sympathy for Hongkong protesters at the moment, even some of their quests are in common. The very same goal behind Beijing's every moves is to secure power, if an open election in Hongkong helps, it will do; if a crackdown helps, it will do. One reason behind Beijing's iron hand today is that Hongkong people failed to gain support from people in the mainland and the latter now expect Beijing to be tough.
1
Repressive governments will never care or take notice until the masses do something dramatic and disruptive. This is one of those things. Bless the people of Hong Kong for their rigid backbone and their tireless courage. Although authoritarianism is making its inexorable creep into the territory they are not going gently.
88
For everyone saying the protesters are not going to win against Communist China who has no problem dealing with protests, you do remember that the colonists in this country were fighting against the only superpower in the world at that time, England, and won. Because sometimes you need to fight to keep your freedom. Something, unfortunately, most Americans would rather forget as they sit in front of their TV watching the reality TV star take away the freedoms that the Founding Fathers had no problem fighting and dying for.
73
@VB
The American revolution was one war in the middle of a larger one between Britain and France. We never would have won if it was just us vs. them.
13
@VB
Conveniently you forgot Hong Kong never fought against the real colonialists - the British. Please read history and you will see that the idea of "fighting for independence against China" has no traction in Hong Kong, despite the loud and violent minority.
@VB What your history books may have neglected to mention was that the revolutionaries would have had no chance because of French financing, French Army, and most importantly, French Navy. Even looking at contemporary writing of members of Continental Congress, you can see they were very focused on attacking foreign support.
But in the nuclear age, who will be Hong Kong’s France?
1
Trump has already echoed the word "riot" to be in sync with Xi Jinping. If Xi later sends the Chinese army to crackdown the protest, Trump will call the protesters "terrorists" as Xi told him to.
Then Trump will be rewarded with a treat by Xi, such as China will start buying soybeans again or North Korea will stop testing missiles for a while.
The art of the deal.
39
Trump only works for one person, himself.
Uhm . . . "too disruptive"? "One of the safest places in the world" Yes. Disruptive to a police state that purportedly makes it "safe." It is encouraging to read the comments here that support these moves and hope to see similar responses where needed elsewhere.
(quote from article):
“I am sympathetic for people who want changes, but I’m not sure it’s the best way to go about it,” said Pauline Price, a 52-year-old movie theater manager from New Zealand. She said protesters risked losing support if their “ad hoc” moves became too disruptive: “Hong Kong was stable. It was one of the safest places in the world. This damages the image of Hong Kong.”
9
@NYC Yes, I found her comment quite tone deaf. She is likely a foreigner who can go back to New Zealand.
The right to self-determination. The right to disempower oppressive or corrupt governments. The right to hold leaders accountable. These are noble causes, worthy of worldwide support. Thank you for reporting the news ; now it is up to free people everywhere to ‘show up’ for these brave and thoughtful protesters whose ‘demands’ are so essential to a life worth living.
94
From the outsiders, the protest is for democracy and freedom, but Hong Kong is in a way far more democratic than most countries in the world, although it is part of China. If they think Hong Kong can become a colony again, that is really hopeless and sad. They need a clear objective to negotiate with instead of tuning it to an ugly riot, which can even be cracked down in the US.
11
@Jas Hunter
I'm going to assume your comment was made in good faith, though I am candidly suspicious of its provenance.
Hong Kong should not be compared against "most countries". It's a low bar to be "more democratic than most countries" and even then I would challenge that Hong Kong doesn't have a meaningful voting right, which is what democracy means. The protesters seek to ensure basic rights to local governance and personal freedoms (many of which promised by Beijing in 1996).
No one is asking for Hong Kong to become a colony again. I've actually only heard that line from certain right-wing Chinese nationalists, who plant a false narrative.
The protesters have come up with a list of demands, including to retract the extradition law. I would suggest reading the materials created and posted by the protesters themselves. They have no leader to make a single list of demands because all of their previous leaders tend to be arrested for non-violent protests (see Joshua Wong).
14
@Virgil Soames
"No one is asking for Hong Kong to become a colony again."
Well, it's not true. Plenty of demonstrators do.
no. they don’t!
This escalation poses an ominous threat to Hong Kong-it is only a matter of time before the Chinese army moves in and poses even harsher controls on Hong Kong..Peaceful protests mean nothing to the Chinese-they have dealt harshly with the Uighurs and the Tibetans.Hong Kong is prosperous but that will not keep China from attacking them and imposing more severe penalties and crushing the few freedoms they have.
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I believe the American known as Patrick Henry, if he were instead a Hong Kong citizen living today, would have an appropriate response. In fact, his response to tyranny, 7 famous words in 1775 in the Virginia legislature, would be shouted today as well.
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@JANET MICHAEL
I hope that the people of Hong Kong have been arming themselves, because history shows that the PLA only wins when they fight against unarmed civilians.
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This is what is meant by "consent of the governed". These people do not consent to be governed by their current system. Seems somewhat crude, perhaps - but this is why the first amendment explicitly permits dissent.
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The protesters in Hong Kong are standing for democracy against creeping authoritarianism. I support them. I only wish we in this country would have the courage and the conviction to do the same.
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The US is vast. Hong Kong is tiny. It helps.
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@Dominic. Exactly what do you think”we in this country” should do. The protesters are merely accelerating the Chinese takeover.
1
A number of senators and congressmen/women of both parties have issued statements of condemnation of police brutality and violent suppression of police. Rubio and Pelosi being the most prominent. The Trump administration could do the same but they won't because trade > justice. US used to be the leader of the free world. Now it stands for nothing.
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This is exactly what this country used to do to change policy and leaders. We need it to happen again in U.S.
Shutting down the airport was brilliant. Unfortunately it takes shutting down the financial systems, which will be well worth it in the long run. Already this country is fooling itself that the economy is strong. Our debt is at a record high. Trump runs the country like his bankrupt businesses...debt upon debt.
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@Danny. Have you ever heard of elections? Do you realize how those shutting down anything quickly become despised? Apparently you have forgotten Occupy Wall Street that accomplished nothing. And by the way, Obama got us to $21 trillion. What did you protest then?
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Except they don’t really have elections
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@Danny Well, the Occupy Wall Street movement tried in September 2011. it achieved nothing.
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Local news paper in Hong Kong says that the woman has lost her right eye. It makes other protestors super angry about police's excessive use of force.
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@Raven
The first aiders who treated her said "ruptured eye ball, fractured bones under the eye, torned tear duct, and injury to the brain behind the eye". One report mentioned that she was herself providing first aid to others with cover from a bus station at the time, and looked out briefly and was shot at very short range, and the projectile was clearly aimed at her eye. The remains of the beanbag was photographed on her broken eye mask. People were angry that she will lose not just her eyesight, but will be seriously disfigured.
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Protesters are overplaying their hands. The communist hammer is going to fall and if they think there is going to be some international groundswell of adverse public opinion, they are wrong. After all, the west has already played the only cards it has - trade sanctions - and there is even lack of support for those.
11
@Kent Kraus The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. In 2019, it is our turn to pay the cost for the great freedoms we enjoy. The people of El Paso are showing the way by telling Trump he is not welcome. It's time for America to emulate Hong Kong and remove Trump from office. There is no other way.
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@Kent Kraus Better live free that under oppression, HK'ers have lived in an extremely free country. The loom of an oppressive system, that they are very familiar with, has scared the population and is obvious that they don't want that as a model for their society.
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@Kent Kraus Please read up on how the USSR lost out in the end to large crowds of protesters. You seem to have missed that piece of the end of the cold war.
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