The Issue Between Hong Kong and Mainland China

Hong Kong protests started demonstration since June. Numerous of people have protested in Hong Kong against the government ‘s plan to allow extradition to mainland China. Critics of Hong Kong feared that this act could undermine judicial independence. It was one of the largest demonstrations in Hong Kong’s history and the sign of growing concern over the erosion of civil liberties. Most importantly, clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent. In order to know why this issue happened, let start with the history between mainland China and Hong Kong.

The relationship between Hong Kong and the central government of Beijing is complex and evolving.  To begin with, the opium war broke out after Qing-dynasty. At that time, China attempted to crack down an illegal opium trade which came from Britain that led to widespread addiction in China . But China failed. The final treaty, the 1898 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, leased the New Territories to Britain for 99 years. Under the terms of the treaty, China would retrieve the power of it’s leased lands in July 1, 1997. The British colonial government exercised liberal governance in Hong Kong, including respect for the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, free markets and fair competition, while keeping political power firmly in its hands. In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing that to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China in 1 July 1997. According to this declaration, China would give Hong Kong some political and social autonomy through a “one country, two systems” policy for a 50-year-period.  Hong Kong also have their own Basic Law. During this time, Hong Kong had gradually growing to a busy trading port. The economy status of Hong Kong became prosperous. Now, Let’s talk about the situation after 1997. After the handover, Hong Kong did not form a “political community with a Shared future”, resulting in continuous political conflicts. While Hong Kong still enjoys freedoms not seen on mainland China, critics say they are on the decline. Right groups have accused China that Chinese government meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs. For example, legal ruling to disqualify pro-democracy legislators. The fact is that Hong Kong’s chief executive is currently elected by election committee which mostly pro-Beijing body chosen by just 6% of eligible voters. A lot of people in Hong Kong said that it is “sham democracy”.  Additionally, in 2047, the Basic Law of Hong Kong will be expired. That means the right of Hong Kong will no longer exist. But no one knows what exactly will happen to Hong Kong’s autonomy after that.

There is another significant issue that a lot of Hong Kong people consider themselves as independent residents out off mainland China. They don’t think they are referred to as Chinese. Some people from academic community, especially the younger generation, have long been committed to western democracy. They want to establish a western democracy in Hong Kong, with one man, one vote and a rotation of political parties. Since the handover, with a long period of “non-interference” by the central government, the opposition in Hong Kong has been given broad political space to publicize their ideas to the people of Hong Kong, especially the young people. They disseminate through schools and the media, resulting in a growing negative view of the mainland China and the central government among some Hong Kong people. Actually, the protest events began several times before. since 1997, the protests have been showed up. For instance, in 2014, there is a big demonstration holds by pro-democracy people in the crucial places in Hong Kong. I remembered at that year, me and my family had travel to Hong Kong for vacation. A lot of main shopping malls were shut down. So, we didn’t shopping much and, instead, staying in the hotel. I saw a huge mass on the street after the demonstration, such as a bunch of yellow and black strip tapes all over the side of the street and protestor’s abandoned items all about the road. And that is the first time I began to pay attention to Hong Kong’s issue. Moreover, One thing to notice is that large demonstration tend to be of a political nature. Politic really plays a great role in the conflict between mainland China and Hong Kong.

Economy is also a critical factor that influence the relationship between Hong Kong and Chinese citizens. Initially, there is a view among Hong Kong people that under the “one country, two systems” policy, mainland has relied on Hong Kong. This view is not totally wrong. Hong Kong has indeed provided reference experience for the mainland in some areas, and even continues to have some influence. They began to have their so called “Hong Kong pride”. However, after Hong Kong return, mainland China had rise rapidly, the economic situation grows even stronger than Hong Kong. With the rise of China, Hong Kong became more and more dependent on mainland’ economy. Over time, Hong Kong people began to worry about their political system, value and ways of life might not be preserved. The influx of mainland talents to Hong Kong has inevitably squeezed the space for some Hong Kong people to develop. It is the rise of mainland China that has reduced Hong Kong’s international competitiveness, especially Hong Kong is now lack of new economic growth momentum. As the result, their growing fear of competition from mainland has cause them to loss confidence. Hong Kong people began to have a backlash feeling against the central government and mainland compatriots. But economic concern is not the main cause of the protest. The core of the protest is not for economy, but for the political goal. Many young generation are eager to change economic conditions by fighting for democracy. They believe that changing the way of elections can be one way to lead them out of economic troubles.

Furthermore, let’s talk about the trigger for the current incident. There is a case happened in Taiwan that a man was accused of killing his girlfriend. He later run back to Hong Kong to escape from prosecution. The local government suggest to pro-Beijing government a new extradition bill. The bill argued that those accused of crimes are allowed to be sent to places which do not have extradition agreements with Hong Kong – including mainland China, where courts are controlled by the communist party. Later, Chief executive of Hong Kong Carrie lam said the bill was necessary to ensure justice for victims. However, a lot of protestors state that it will harm their right. They concerned that the Chinese government will arrest the people who have different political support from communist party. Beijing government support Carrie lam, they give warning to those protestors. Owing to the mass, the official stop the extradition bill. But this didn’t stop angered Hong Kong citizens to continuous demonstrations this time.  But there is no serious worry about the demonstration because most Hong Kong people are not keen on the struggle for democracy, the mainstream opinions want to maintain prosperity and stability of the society. Hong Kong is a commercial society. people of Hong Kong ae generally attach great importance to stability and development. Since unrest will affecting the economy, and undermining investor’s confidence. When social conflicts go beyond a certain scope and turn into fierce confrontations, people will began to worry about social stability.

In a nut shell, the Hong Kong problems will not solve in a short time easily because there is too much historical factors and current factors. But I hope that Hong Kong and mainland China can became more friendly with each other and looking forward for a better future.

• ZIYA CHEN