With the Chinese government's patience wearing thin, and now using rhetoric reminiscent of what preceded the Tiananmen Square massacre in June, 1989, Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters - and its democracy - could well be in grave danger.
The People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong is, in the words of its commander Chen Daoxiang, "Determined to protect national sovereignty, security, stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong." To drive the point home, a promotional video showing Chinese military officers in action was released along with the statement.
Yang Guang, a spokesperson for the Chinese government's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, has echoed this sentiment, warning the protesters - whom he calls "Criminals" - not to "Take restraint for weakness," and reiterated the government's "Firm resolve" to "Safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong." Later, Mr. Yang would add that the demonstrations showed "Signs of terrorism." These statements came just two months after China's defence minister argued that China's stability since the Tiananmen crackdown proved that the government had made the "Correct" choice.
China's leaders may well be sensing that the best - or even the only - way to restore their authority in Hong Kong is by force.
The resulting clashes would mark the official end of the "One country, two systems" arrangement, with China's government forced to assert direct and full control over Hong Kong's administration.
With the Hong Kong government's legitimacy destroyed, the city would become ungovernable.
China's government may loathe the idea of making concessions to the Hong Kong protesters, but considering the catastrophic consequences of a military crackdown, that is what it must do.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-hong-kong-must-not-take-a-tiananmen-turn/
The People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong is, in the words of its commander Chen Daoxiang, "Determined to protect national sovereignty, security, stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong." To drive the point home, a promotional video showing Chinese military officers in action was released along with the statement.
Yang Guang, a spokesperson for the Chinese government's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, has echoed this sentiment, warning the protesters - whom he calls "Criminals" - not to "Take restraint for weakness," and reiterated the government's "Firm resolve" to "Safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong." Later, Mr. Yang would add that the demonstrations showed "Signs of terrorism." These statements came just two months after China's defence minister argued that China's stability since the Tiananmen crackdown proved that the government had made the "Correct" choice.
China's leaders may well be sensing that the best - or even the only - way to restore their authority in Hong Kong is by force.
The resulting clashes would mark the official end of the "One country, two systems" arrangement, with China's government forced to assert direct and full control over Hong Kong's administration.
With the Hong Kong government's legitimacy destroyed, the city would become ungovernable.
China's government may loathe the idea of making concessions to the Hong Kong protesters, but considering the catastrophic consequences of a military crackdown, that is what it must do.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-hong-kong-must-not-take-a-tiananmen-turn/
No comments:
Post a Comment