Hong Kong Flashcards
What are the 10 most prominent points from “Punishments” by Jeffrey Wasserstrom ?
- Hong Kong’s Autonomy: The text likely discusses the autonomy of Hong Kong, particularly in relation to mainland China. This could include issues related to the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.
- Protests and Activism: The text may cover the protests and activism taking place in Hong Kong, highlighting the reasons behind them and their significance.
- Political Unrest: It might discuss the political unrest and tensions between different factions or groups within Hong Kong.
- China’s Influence: The text may explore how China’s influence is impacting the political and social landscape of Hong Kong.
- Democracy and Human Rights: Discussion on the struggle for democracy and the protection of human rights in Hong Kong is likely to be a key theme.
- International Response: The text could touch on how the international community, including other countries and organizations, is responding to the situation in Hong Kong.
- Legal and Legislative Measures: This could include discussions on legal and legislative measures taken by the Hong Kong government, as well as potential interventions by mainland China.
- Media and Information: The role of media and the flow of information in Hong Kong, as well as potential censorship or restrictions, may be discussed.
- Economic Implications: The text might delve into the economic impact of the situation on Hong Kong, including areas such as trade, investment, and business.
- Future Outlook: The text may speculate on the possible future developments in Hong Kong, considering various scenarios and potential outcomes.
What are the 10 most relevant points from “Crackdown: Hong Kong Faces Tiananmen 2.0” ?
- Pro-Beijing Candidates and Manipulated Elections: The text mentions that pro-Beijing candidates were certain to lose even manipulated elections, indicating a political bias.
- Disqualification of Pro-democracy Candidates: The authorities disqualified a dozen prodemocracy candidates, suppressing opposition voices.
- Postponement of Elections: The September elections were postponed for a year, further restricting democratic processes.
- Suppression of Freedom and Core Values: Beijing’s actions led to the suppression of freedom, specifically the rights and freedoms listed in the Joint Declaration, referred to as “core values.”
- Undermining Vital Safeguards for Liberty: The text explains how Beijing undermined vital safeguards for liberty, including the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and various professional groups.
- Control of Local Elites by Beijing: Local elites, such as legislators, civil servants, and businesspeople, were controlled by Beijing rather than being accountable to the people of Hong Kong.
- Attack on Judicial Independence: Beijing openly expressed displeasure at Hong Kong’s judicial independence, indicating a direct assault on the legal system.
- Imposition of National Security Law: The imposition of the national-security law in 2020 allowed for a comprehensive assault on freedom in Hong Kong.
- Police Brutality and State-Sanctioned Violence: The text describes instances of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence against protesters, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.
- International Response and Consequences: The international community, including the U.S. government and other democratic countries, responded with condemnation and sanctions against Hong Kong officials.
What is Hong Kong ?
It is an administrative region of China.
It has 7 million citizens.
It is slightly larger in size than Ireland.
Historically, it was a British territory and was recently given back to China
Give a brief overview of Hong Kong’s history ?
It was under British rule as of 1898 in 1841 it was not yet considered a beneficial or strategic piece of land by the British.
It was leased to the British by the Qin empire for a period of 99 years.
British rules Hong Kong with a system of legislative counsel (legco) - it appointed all government workers until 1985, it was not a democratic process. Acted as the colonial power.
Explain Honk Kong’s economic growth.
It became an important port and trading city and soon was a financial centre in China.
In 1985, it accounted for 20% of China’s GDP.
This growth was driven by the 80s opening to foreign investors, it acted as a base for the Westerns financial operations and corporations in China.
Furthermore, the capitalists in Hong Kong were the biggest investors in mainland China during that period, so this foreign participation also benefited the mainland.
What is the movement of population between Hong Kong and China like in the 1950s - 60s ?
Hong Kong became a refuge for those fleeing China - in 1948 - 1949, after the victory of the CCP, the population of Hong Kong tripled.
However, during the cultural revolution, the British worried about infiltration and so did the CCP so the borders were more controlled.
What happened in 1997 ?
1997 was the year the British had to surrender Hong Kong back to China.
Negotiations began in 1982, the UK wanted to extend the lease, China refused.
In 1984, both parties support the Sino-British Joint Declaration - China will retain Hong Kong as of 1997, but Hong Kong’s basic policies will remain unchanged for 50 years (2047), Hong Kong retaining a high degree of autonomy.
What is the Basic Law and what are its key provisions ?
A “mini-constitution” for Hong Kong passed by Beijing in 1990.
Though in a socialist system and policies, capitalism in Hong Kong remain unchanged.
Exercise a high degree of autonomy.
Safeguard the rights of their residents.
Ultimate aim - a fully democratic direct election of the chief executive and legislator. - universal suffrage, candidates upon nomination by the democratic committee.
China wants Hong Kong to pass a national security law - Hong Kong must enacts laws independently to protect the mainland.
How did the British feel about the Basic Law, and why ?
They did not support it. - Tiananmen Square showed the CCP’s willingness to use violence as a means to control its own people.
Therefore, the British pass a reform, granting Hong Kong functional constituency elections in 1985. In 1991, the system becomes semi-representative and in 1995 ballots are cast democratically.
Did Hong Kong independently pass a national security law ?
In 2002, the party ahead tried but failed.
They also tried to have direct elections for the chief executive and legislator, but this failed as well
Describe the protests that took place in HK in 2011-2012.
Demonstrations used to be relatively normal and common in Hong Kong. They would hold vigils for Tiananmen Square for example.
On July 1st of 2011, pro-democratic protests began, there were three major waves.
The thing that caused the uprising is a threat to modify the Hong Kong school curriculums to make it favourable to party rule, meaning it would ignore and embellish certain aspects of Chinese life and history. Schools would become a tool of the party.
Secondary school students opposed this, protests and hunger strikes follow and the leaders are jailed by the party.
Describe the protests that took place in HK in 2014
These protests are known as the Umbrella Movement.
The protestors request elections to be free of Beijing influence. - Beijing reminds Hong Kong that their independence is granted, not guaranteed, and could be taken away.
China then states the chief executives of Taiwan will need to be approved by the CCP.
510 000 protestors and sit ins are organized. - after three months of protests and occupations (peaceful), the people left under threat of being removed forcibly.
Describe the protests that took place in HK in 2019 and 2020.
These protests were anti-extradition protests.
There were plans to allow extraditions from Hong Kong to mainland China which would undermine judicial independence and endanger dissidents.
The bill is retracted in September, but the protests continue, demanding democracy and inquiry into police action as there were violent clashes between police and protestors
Describe what occurred in Hong Kong in 2020 and what the consequences of this were.
Beijing passes a national security law for Hong Kong, making actions which are pro-Hong Kong, so anti-CCP, illegal.
The punishment for this is life in prison.
Consequences of this :
- China disbanded student unions, activist groups, human rights groups, etc.
- Extradition to the mainland is now justifiable in some cases.
- The opposition in Hong Kong has been decimated.
- Journalist, owners of press companies, opposition and researchers have been jailed.
- 100 000 - 200 000 people left Hong Kong, mostly to the UK, fearing political persecution.
For all of these reasons, other organs like Taiwan have refused the 1 country 2 systems offer made by Beijing.
