a century after Britain returned Hong Kong to China, the texture of the city, its sights and sounds, are little changed. In its thrumming wet markets, carp still lie under red lamps, fishmongers extolling their freshness. Shoppers worship the gods of purse and phone at upscale malls. Construction workers sweat in the wet air, their jackhammers a rhythm section to the chimes of the trams.
Under their neglectful, but not utterly repressive, rule, protest was inevitable. The most violent was that of 1967, when the chaos of China’s Cultural Revolution spilled across the border. Supporters of Mao, backed by the underground party, set off bombs, slaughtering children playing in the streets. By September, 51 people had been killed. The majority was firmly against the protesters, and developed a new affinity for the police.
The carnage in Beijing sparked a political explosion across Hong Kong. In 1984 the British had signed an agreement to return the territory to China in 1997, built around the formula of “one country, two systems”. The negotiations which had come up with that idea, at which Hong Kongers were not represented, promised that the territory would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” for 50 years, with a degree of self-rule.
In fact, under the Basic Law—the city’s post-handover constitution—Hong Kongers had few ways to take part in the city’s governance. Despite last-minute reforms to allow greater scope for elections, key appointments still had to be approved in Beijing. Most legislators and the city’s new “chief executive” were appointed by bodies controlled by party loyalists, many with business interests in China.
Instead, the Communist Party made the subtext of its previous attempts at change explicit: the Hong Kong identity created in the late 20th century and the independent-minded tradition of protest that went with it was a threat. In May 2020 China announced that a new national-security law was to be imposed on the territory, bolting legislation against secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers on top of the Basic Law.
Every other major pro-democracy news outlet in Hong Kong has been closed. The newspapers which matter are Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po—which the party now uses as proxies to help run the city. Democrats have learned to read them closely. If you become one of their targets, you can expect a knock on the door in the middle of the night.
It’s just what leftists do.
Closing down China’s gateway to the world showed the world that China was retreating behind her walls again.
This is why I stopped buying The Economist, the amount of government sponsored BS is insane.
They don't want Hongkongers knee down to the fat Queen. No more freedom of knee
sharp original suffix
Maybe a Purchase deal from UK.
China has decided to close itself off but still wants to have HK as a conduit to the free world to take advantage. Its classic China.
The New Masters of the world: Rusia & China, no matter the MEANS.
'An anatomy of erasure' Is that about the trans movement? It's erasing women, erasing free speech, and erasing gay people. Young people don't identify as gay anymore, they identify as a hetero trans, and they hide gay erasure by just saying 'they all identify as LGBTQIA+'
Taiwan after the midterms?
China
Almost as effective as the unending torrent of capitalist propaganda spewed forth by your clients. And you. Obviously
Not just in HK
Somewhat like how Koch Industries infiltrated America...
Blimey, that’s almost as backwards as Global Britain 🤪🇬🇧
Sounds like England.
Oh. I thought this was going to be about the United States.
Is it really any different to the UK today?
Coming soon to your country.
Geez.... Honk Kong's starting to sound like Florida.
Sounds not too disimilar from the direction the US is moving too
The propoganda machines like BBC or Economists can not wash brain now?
The culture of fear (of being cancelled) is in every society these days - even free ones. It’s probably worse in HK, and of course, more dire if you say the “wrong thing.” It’s pretty sad.
Isn't it interesting how the Chinese Communists infiltrated Hong Kong's businesses, universities, and media leading up to John Lee's appointment--Because that's just like how liberals have been infiltrating America's businesses, universities, and media!
I don't get it. clearly knows what communism and socialism do to democracies, yet most of their articles promote communist and socialist solutions to economic problems.
I don't get it. clearly knows what communism and socialism do to democracies, yet mosr of their articles promote communist and socialist solutions to economic problems.
No guns
Hong Kong is just a puppet. The puppet master has changed.
.. on getting this news, Mr Larry Tisch, CEO of Black Rock announced that to punish Chinese Government, Black Rock immediately will make new investments of 10 trillion dollars in China.
Stupid statement. How do you rank 'democrats' into prominent and not prominent? 😃
Why do the fascist dictators think they are in anway acceptable ? Chinese people need to step up and end these vile murderers
This journal just sees the instigators of the riots as democrats, so obviously it shows Donald Trump strong support for the Storming of US Capitol in 2021.
well, does a magazine owned by pigs can write meaningful article?
Economist? Just pigs that can count.
Still on copium. All forms of imperialist must be resisted
New low...
What do you think of her rule? News written by inferior media is as disgusting as shit.
I didn't read the article, but I'm willing to blame the uk.
Not a state, but a town.
you go check per capita GDP of Hongkong and per capita GDP of UK, how are you qualified to judge us? Are you even sorry for the opium war and taking Hongkong from China? Is this your how you got educated?
The USA’s future under GOP rule.
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