 |
| The crowd of protesters remained strong on Sunday morning |
Jeff and I received an email late last week asking if the pro-democracy protests had us 'hunkered down.' Our apartment and my office are far enough away from protest areas to leave us relatively undisturbed by events. The most significant consequence has been minor inconvenience due to diversion or suspension of public buses. We are following developments closely and feel privileged to have a front row seat to democracy in action and history in the making.
 |
Protesters remain remarkably upbeat despite living outside
in Hong Kong's incessant heat, humidity and thunderstorms |
The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong are entering the eighth day. Last Wednesday and Thursday were public holidays in Hong Kong, limiting their impact. However, with the beginning of a "normal" work week approaching tomorrow, Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung warned ominously of "tragedy" unless protesters disperse. He specifically identified the need for schools to reopen and Hong Kong's civil servants to return to their offices, which have been blocked by protesters for the past several days. Leaders of the protests indicate they will allow civil servants to pass through protest areas so that they can reach their offices.
 |
China's insistence on screening candidates for Hong Kong's
Chief Executive and legislative roles is the heart of the issue |
The week has featured disruption, relentless press coverage and even a protest-zone marriage proposal:
 |
| A protest banner hanging from an overpass |
Many insights and stories have emerged from the extensive media coverage of the protests:
- The PRC views the extent of its commitment to universal suffrage differently than other governments, particularly Britain, with whom they ratified the joint declaration in 1984.
- In the 17 years since the 1997 handover, Hongkongers have waited patiently for the PRC to deliver. Much of the world, including three former U.S. Consul Generals, want Beijing to pick up the pace.
- The use of tear gas and pepper spray on students demonstrating peacefully doesn't make a good impression or earn any international goodwill. Both the U.S. and the UK have expressed diplomatic concern.
- For the PRC government to claim that the protests are strictly "China's internal affairs" seems disingenuous given that the heart of the issue was a key principle of returning Hong Kong to Chinese rule.
- Umbrellas, goggles, surgical masks and plastic wrap -- makeshift defense against tear gas and pepper spray -- have become potent symbols for the movement.
- The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, C.Y. Leung, has proven himself to be more a man of Beijing than a man of the people.
- Even peaceful civil disobedience can have unintended consequences.
- Keeping up with your homework, picking up trash and recycling in the protest zone helps a cause garner international support.
- Ultimatums and deadlines don't need to have serious consequences.
- In such a public battle, a wily adversary will employ any means possible to gain advantage.
- Mainland China gets a very different version of the story from what is reported in Hong Kong.
 |
| Rain or shine, umbrellas are ubiquitous in the protest sites |
 |
Organization among the protesters is strong, and
mobile phones are critical for communication |
The protesters now appear to be hunkering down, while the government has set a deadline of Monday morning for the protesters to disperse and clear the roads. Over the past week, as tensions have risen and dropped, scuffles have broken out and been diffused, and deadlines have come and gone, the one thing that all parties seem to agree on is a desire to avoid more tear gas and associated violence. We think that the Chinese government has the opportunity to prevent this by acknowledging and expressing a willingness to close the gap between their obligation and Hong Kong's expectations for electoral reform.
 |
| Sloganeering with packing tape, magic markers and cardboard |
Interesting times in Hong Kong. So far you've been lucky & so have the protestors. Let's hope it stays peaceful. BK
ReplyDelete