Chinese interference in Hong Kong’s political and legal affairs is creating uncertainty about the future of the territory as an independent business centre.
A demonstrator in Hong Kong on Aug. 24, 2019.
REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach.
REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Why the Hong Kong protesters feel they have ‘nothing to lose’
The Conversation29,5 MB(download)
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has indicated she's open to dialogue. But unless she meets the demonstrators' demands, the protest movement isn't going to end anytime soon.
Beijing has a long-term Hong Kong challenge on its hands, one that in many ways is of its own making.
Miguel Candela/EPA
The Chinese government has a multi-pronged approach to quell the protests –building support among business elites, putting pressure on companies and ramping up its misinformation campaigns.
A new branch of younger protesters has taken a more militant approach, which has proved effective in rattling the government.
Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA
Protesters have adopted new approaches stemming from the failures of the 2014 Umbrella Movement and they are building something that is showing resilience to Beijing’s authoritarianism.
The message: a trademark umbrella during the original 2014 protests.
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Protests in Hong Kong over a proposed extradition law are the largest in the territory’s history. But not all of the people out in the street share the same tactics or goals.
The occupation of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council building on July 1 was met with calls for ‘zero tolerance’ from mainland China.
Millions of people in Hong Kong have come out to stop a proposed law that would have allowed China to try accused criminals, including political dissidents, in Chinese courts.
Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha
A controversial extradition law has been suspended in Hong Kong after more than a week of mass public resistance. Hong Kong’s legal system is one of its few remaining areas of autonomy from China.
According to organisers, two million people marched Sunday in Hong Kong, with many shifting focus away from a controversial extradition bill to the resignation of the Beijing-backed chief executive, Carrie Lam.
Jerome Favre/AAP
Hong Kong’s protesters are galvanised by their cause, but whether they can sustain their momentum and bring about real change remains to be seen.
Mass pro-democracy demonstrations over recent days have underscored the fact that Hong Kong residents are fearful of creeping mainland control.
AAP/EPA/Vernon Yuen
Protestors have taken to the streets over an extradition bill that could see alleged criminals extradicted to China, and Beijing is doing little to assuage their concerns.