The conflict between Hong Kong and the Chinese government
A multi-perspective take on the ongoing protests in Hong Kong against the actions of the Chinese government.
In a nutshell
Hongkongers continue to protest against proposals made by the Chinese government that they believe will undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy from mainland China. Since June 2019, the protests have escalated, becoming increasingly violent. China’s top legislature has recently approved a national security resolution that would if enacted, bypass Hong Kong’s own legal system to make Hongkongers punishable by Chinese law - a highly contentious move.
The background of Hong Kong’s protests
A look at history is important to understand the ongoing conflict between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842 when it was ceded to Britain after the First Opium War between Britain and China.
In 1997, Hong Kong reverted back to Chinese rule under a ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and the event was largely celebrated across Hong Kong.
(Image source: CNN)
The ‘one country, two systems’ principle means that while Hong Kong is ruled by China, it maintains its own legal system separate from mainland China, its own borders and the rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. In the handover between Britain and China, it was agreed that Hong Kong would remain largely autonomous from mainland China for 50 years under the Basic Law. This law expires in 2047 and it is not clear what rights Hongkongers will have at that point.
According to BBC News, the autonomy Hong Kong has enjoyed has changed its identity, solidifying its cultural, social and lingual distinctions from mainland China. And the protests of the last two decades have only served to strengthen its distinct identity. BBC News argues, ‘In the midst of this crisis, a powerful Hong Kong identity is being forged. Unless something really changes, that’s going to be a real problem for China for years to come.’
(Graphs source: The Economist. Original source: Hong Kong Public Research Institute)
There is a history of demonstrating against the Chinese government in Hong Kong. There were protests in 2003 against a bill that would have threatened freedom of speech, in 2012 when the government tried to change the school curriculum and again in 2014 against Beijing’s influence over Hong Kong elections. From May 2019, months of protests occurred over a bill proposing criminals from Hong Kong be extradited and tried in mainland China, a move many argued would see Hongkongers facing an unfair judicial system and would give China undue influence over Hong Kong. Rallies have taken place in cities around the world, such as London, Sydney and New York, to show support for Hong Kong protestors.
Protests in the last year have grown increasingly more violent. Protestors have employed techniques including using laser lights as weapons and hosting protests in multiple locations at once to make them hard to police. Police have come under fire for extensive use of tear gas, rubber pellets and water cannons. BBC News released a video that explains how Hong Kong has become trapped in a cycle of violence.
(Image source: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)
Recent protests and the national security law
At the end of May 2020, protests took place against the Chinese government’s proposed national security law which would prohibit “splittism, subversion, terrorism, and any behaviour that gravely threatens national security and foreign interference.” Although no details have yet set out exactly what this law would entail, BBC News has summarised this as prohibiting breaking away from the country, undermining the power or authority of the central government, using violence or intimidation against people and activities by foreign forces that interfere in Hong Kong.
BBC News says Hongkongers are afraid of the law because they may be punished for criticising Beijing as happens in mainland China. They’re also concerned the law will affect their free speech and right to protest, the justice system may become like China’s and the threat to Hong Kong’s liberties could impact its business attractiveness and its status as an economic powerhouse.
The Financial Times reports that if the legislation is enforced, ‘it will mark the first time that a Chinese law carrying criminal penalties has been introduced into Hong Kong’s legal code, bypassing the territory’s legislature and public consultation processes.’ And that despite Hong Kong having its own legal system in theory, in reality, ‘Hong Kong’s judges will be instructed by the Chinese Community party to act in certain ways, undermining the city’s rule of law.’
Coinciding with this, on 4 June, the Hong Kong legislature approved a bill making it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem, punishable with up to three years in prison and a fine of approximately £5,000. Aljazeera reports that ‘Opponents of the anthem bill and the national security law see them as signs of Beijing’s tightening control over the territory’ while those in favour say, ‘The law is necessary for Hong Kong citizens to show respect to the national anthem.’
Each year on 4 June since 1990, a vigil has been held in Victoria Park in Hong Kong to commemorate the victims that lost their lives in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989, when the military opened fire at protestors. This year the mass vigil was banned due to health concerns about coronavirus. Despite the ban, demonstrators arrived in their thousands holding candles. According to The Daily Mail, police clashed with protestors, with officers firing pepper spray and arrests being made.
(Image source: SIPA USA/PA Images)
What have responses been to the proposed national security law?
According to South China Morning Post, billionaire tycoon Michael Kadoorie, from one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest families, follows many of Hong Kong’s high-profile businesspeople supporting the law. However, he urges Beijing to secure public approval for the law which could be in place as soon as August.
UK-based bank HSBC has also come out in favour of the proposed national security law. Bloomberg argues that ‘HSBC are navigating dangerous waters,’ in supporting the Chinese government and opposing the UK government’s stance. Yet it says there was little choice as HSBC relies on Hong Kong for 54% of its profit and a third of its global revenue.
The Telegraph reports Boris Johnson has offered 3 million people in Hong Kong the path to citizenship if China imposes the new security law which it argues, ‘Represents an escalation in the stand-off between the UK and China.’
Johnson was quoted as saying, ‘Many people in Hong Kong fear their way of life, which China pledged to uphold, is under threat,’ and, ‘If China proceeds to justify their fears, then Britain could not in good conscience shrug our shoulders and walk away; instead we will honour our obligations and provide an alternative.’ In response to this, The Standard argues it’s possible China may retaliate by stripping British National (Overseas) passport holders of their right to live in China, effectively a no-return situation.
The Financial Times reports that the US has decided to end the special trade status granted to Hong Kong as it is apparent Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from mainland China. Critics have pointed out this could actually hurt local business and fast-forward Hong Kong’s absorption into mainland China rather than penalising China.
The Guardian argues that China’s announcement of the national security law ‘appears to have increased anti-Beijing sentiment in Hong Kong and prompted calls from protestors for Hong Kong’s complete independence - something absent from their demands so far.’ It goes on to say, ‘The Hong Kong government has relaxed many COVID-19 restrictions but maintained limits on public gatherings, prompting accusations this was a tactic to prevent protests.’
The Guardian also argues that the banning of the vigil showed the Chinese government is ‘intent on stubbing out [Hong Kong’s] last pocket of freedom’ as Hong Kong was the only place under Chinese rule where Tiananmen Square Massacre victims could be remembered.
In a video published by Global News, Denis Kwok, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong responded to the proposed law by saying, ‘Up until yesterday I still believed Hong Kong had the rule of law. One of the central principles of the rule of law is that everyone is equal. No one is above the law, not even the chief executive is above the law. Are they saying that there will be a commission or an organisation in Hong Kong that is above the law? Then, that will be the end of Hong Kong.’
In the same video, Lee Cheuk-Yan, secretary of HK alliance responded by saying, ‘They are announcing to the world that Hong Kong is no longer under ‘One country, two systems.’ It is now ‘One country, one system’ when they can impose the law on Hong Kong.’