About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests(bloomberg.com)
bloomberg.com
About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-16/protests-swell-as-hong-kong-rejects-leader-s-compromise
160 comments
We, people from Hong Kong, appreciate your view a lot.
Your view is particularly relevant to the current protest on anti-extraditions law: the focus is on what if more people will be transferred to China when CCP does not like what you have done outside of China.
Without the extraditions law, CCP has to go into great length to abduct others into China--for the case of the five missing book publishers (including a Swedish national) [1] who did not violate any law in Hong Kong or elsewhere (ignoring some made-up non-sense of drink-drive accidents), likely CCP used secret agents reaching as far as Thailand, because there were no travel documents necessary to have the five people crossing the border through legal channels.
But once the extraditions law is passed, China can use Hong Kong to bring people into China, regardless of their nationality, and foreigners merely transiting in Hong Kong could be arrested and then extradited into China.
The results weren't pretty. The Swedish national, Gui Minhai, in this case were forced to made a "confession" on CCTV for his "crime", in addition to losing his freedom [1].
China has shown repeatedly that they could retaliate by charging foreigners. What follows the Huawei incident is a recent example.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causeway_Bay_Books_disappearan...
Your view is particularly relevant to the current protest on anti-extraditions law: the focus is on what if more people will be transferred to China when CCP does not like what you have done outside of China.
Without the extraditions law, CCP has to go into great length to abduct others into China--for the case of the five missing book publishers (including a Swedish national) [1] who did not violate any law in Hong Kong or elsewhere (ignoring some made-up non-sense of drink-drive accidents), likely CCP used secret agents reaching as far as Thailand, because there were no travel documents necessary to have the five people crossing the border through legal channels.
But once the extraditions law is passed, China can use Hong Kong to bring people into China, regardless of their nationality, and foreigners merely transiting in Hong Kong could be arrested and then extradited into China.
The results weren't pretty. The Swedish national, Gui Minhai, in this case were forced to made a "confession" on CCTV for his "crime", in addition to losing his freedom [1].
China has shown repeatedly that they could retaliate by charging foreigners. What follows the Huawei incident is a recent example.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causeway_Bay_Books_disappearan...
> This is a small world, whether we like it or not, and letting authoritarian stuff like this extradition treaty to a dictatorship slide
A while ago a plane arrived in Fiji half-filled with Chinese police officers. They arrested 77 supposedly Chinese nationals, put them on the plane, and took them back to China. This was all extra-judicial. None of the 77 were arrested, charged, or convicted by the Fijian justice system. It's unknown who the 77 are, but the Chinese claim they were involved in an online fraud ring.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/chinese-suspects-depo...
A while ago a plane arrived in Fiji half-filled with Chinese police officers. They arrested 77 supposedly Chinese nationals, put them on the plane, and took them back to China. This was all extra-judicial. None of the 77 were arrested, charged, or convicted by the Fijian justice system. It's unknown who the 77 are, but the Chinese claim they were involved in an online fraud ring.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/chinese-suspects-depo...
As a Chinese I think the Chinese police officers are doing a great job.
They probably are following orders really well, it's the judicial and legislative system using the police that are almost not even trying to uphold the human rights conventions. You know, the UN ones, which China claims they support, since China's a permanent member of the security council and all.
You have earned 1 social credit point.
CCP does have a lot of room to improve in protecting human rights. But to be fair, for the matter of national security, every country takes the extreme measure. Look at the Assange case. Neither Swedish nor US government makes any sense to me.
The fact that some other country also did this terrible thing doesn't make doing it less terrible.
Assange will get a fair trial, does the PRC know what a fair trial is?
“Fair” is a big word. It will likely not be fully public, for a start.
China is undoubtedly the worst offender, when it comes to the right to a fair trial; but let’s not pretend “our” countries cannot stack the deck when they feel it’s necessary.
China is undoubtedly the worst offender, when it comes to the right to a fair trial; but let’s not pretend “our” countries cannot stack the deck when they feel it’s necessary.
Whenever people bring up human rights abuses in China, that China is a totalitarian country, there are always people bring up that democracy isn't that much better, it's chaotic, there are special interests, there are ways to abuse human rights in a democracy too etc.
Here's my take: people living in democratic societies have this powerful weapon called free and fair election. Furthermore, independent judiciary and the rule of law. All of their constitutions have some kind of bill of rights built in, and the governments, by and large dare not cross the legal boundaries or it's almost certain that there will be consequences. If these checks and balances are not enough due to prosecutors stacking their deck with heavily financed teams of lawyers, enacting or reviving controversial laws, the civil societies are fully able to demand change, and action it during elections. While we should not pretend that democracies are perfect, let's also not pretend they are totally useless. Change can happen quickly if enough people want it to. On the hand, China after Tiananmen, has expanded its state power so much, its control of information so effective, its surveillance system so encompassing, and its civil resistance so shattered, its policies has bribed so many people, it's almost impossible to effect any substantial change without a total collapse of the regime.
Saying or implying democracies are just as bad as totalitarian regimes like the PRC risks spreading hopelessness that the people in democratic countries cannot change things. So I hope the next time people bring up this comparison, have some proportion, some perspectives in mind, and think about what they can do to better their governments, instead of just conveniently dismissing the value of democracies.
Here's my take: people living in democratic societies have this powerful weapon called free and fair election. Furthermore, independent judiciary and the rule of law. All of their constitutions have some kind of bill of rights built in, and the governments, by and large dare not cross the legal boundaries or it's almost certain that there will be consequences. If these checks and balances are not enough due to prosecutors stacking their deck with heavily financed teams of lawyers, enacting or reviving controversial laws, the civil societies are fully able to demand change, and action it during elections. While we should not pretend that democracies are perfect, let's also not pretend they are totally useless. Change can happen quickly if enough people want it to. On the hand, China after Tiananmen, has expanded its state power so much, its control of information so effective, its surveillance system so encompassing, and its civil resistance so shattered, its policies has bribed so many people, it's almost impossible to effect any substantial change without a total collapse of the regime.
Saying or implying democracies are just as bad as totalitarian regimes like the PRC risks spreading hopelessness that the people in democratic countries cannot change things. So I hope the next time people bring up this comparison, have some proportion, some perspectives in mind, and think about what they can do to better their governments, instead of just conveniently dismissing the value of democracies.
I completely agree. My aim was simply to point out that Assange's case is so bad, that one really shouldn't use it as a point of superiority of this or that system.
Assange is currently being tortured.
You call that a fair trial?
You call that a fair trial?
You must be kidding. Trump's going to war on trumped up evidence; you think a single guy is going to get a hearing?
That said, PRC is a completely different ballgame. What I wouldn't give to see all of China revolt like they are doing in HK.
That said, PRC is a completely different ballgame. What I wouldn't give to see all of China revolt like they are doing in HK.
I wish they could use the Official Figure as 2M and 1.
The 1 was tribute to the one died in protest of the bill [0]. R.I.P
And I don't think the photos aren't what 2M people in the City really looks like. Here are few better ones.
And thank you everyone who supported us, even if you are not in HK, it is still much appreciated.
[0] https://time.com/5607742/hong-kong-protester-dies-anti-extra...
[1] https://ibb.co/WtLMvCH
[2] https://ibb.co/BgQkb0S
[3] https://t.co/5NahUcGSKt
The 1 was tribute to the one died in protest of the bill [0]. R.I.P
And I don't think the photos aren't what 2M people in the City really looks like. Here are few better ones.
And thank you everyone who supported us, even if you are not in HK, it is still much appreciated.
[0] https://time.com/5607742/hong-kong-protester-dies-anti-extra...
[1] https://ibb.co/WtLMvCH
[2] https://ibb.co/BgQkb0S
[3] https://t.co/5NahUcGSKt
Your link [1] https://ibb.co/WtLMvCH is an altered image. See how it is mirrored horizontally?
This is my bad! I have been spreading fake images! Sorry that was sent to me via WhatsApp. ( But I can promise you the real thing would have look just as stunning ) Keep your attention to the Dropbox Folder.
What's going on with those first two images? The first one is clearly mirrored, though also placed a little off-center. Are these renders? A mashup of rendering and actual photos? Just photos with one mirror effect? I'm genuinely curious.
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They've made it. The Chief Executive apologized and the government has suspended the fugitive law amendment. That's really a RARE concession in these years because the Chinese government typically doesn't compromise at all under pressure.
> They've made it. The Chief Executive apologized and the government has suspended the fugitive law amendment. That's really a RARE concession in these years because the Chinese government typically doesn't compromise at all under pressure.
First, the government is suspending the law amendment, not retracting it. The law amendment could be revived in a month or two--that is, after enough leaders have been arrested and the protest cools down, just like how they cold-handled the Umbrella protest in 2014, or many other protests in China--for all we know now.
Second, the government is arresting people under the charge of "riot" [1]--despite HN'ers labeling such protest as non-violent, the charge of riot means a maximum term of 10 years--and they arrest people even by violating patients' privacy and eroding trust from patients to doctors [2]. If charged, some protesters have to pay a high price, joining others who have been paying the price due to Umbrella protest.
I would not say they have made it until the law is at least retracted.
[1]: https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/13/hong-kong-protesters-c...
[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c0l9vl/hk_hospita...
First, the government is suspending the law amendment, not retracting it. The law amendment could be revived in a month or two--that is, after enough leaders have been arrested and the protest cools down, just like how they cold-handled the Umbrella protest in 2014, or many other protests in China--for all we know now.
Second, the government is arresting people under the charge of "riot" [1]--despite HN'ers labeling such protest as non-violent, the charge of riot means a maximum term of 10 years--and they arrest people even by violating patients' privacy and eroding trust from patients to doctors [2]. If charged, some protesters have to pay a high price, joining others who have been paying the price due to Umbrella protest.
I would not say they have made it until the law is at least retracted.
[1]: https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/13/hong-kong-protesters-c...
[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c0l9vl/hk_hospita...
I agree with you that the government should release all protesters arrested. I actually don't care about the difference between "suspension without timetable for restarting" and "retraction" because even if the government had completely retracted the amendment, they could draft another amendment anytime anyway.
Yes, but many of the HK protesters, somehow, became obsessed with the terminology.
It's part of a broader war between the government and the opposing faction.
It's part of a broader war between the government and the opposing faction.
I don't think this is quibbling over terminology - "suspending" is a temporary measure, and governments being governments, there's every chance it would be "unsuspended" once the protesters melt away.
>because even if the government had completely retracted the amendment, they could draft another amendment anytime anyway.
Now that Carrie Lam has realised that she cannot do whatever she wants (at least on this issue). The criteria, if or when the this amendment will re-surface, will depend on public opinions, instead of whether it's temporarily suspended, or retracted.
Now that Carrie Lam has realised that she cannot do whatever she wants (at least on this issue). The criteria, if or when the this amendment will re-surface, will depend on public opinions, instead of whether it's temporarily suspended, or retracted.
What is the situation with bail in HK? In the US authorities often settle for incremental policy creep while counting on using legal and medical expenses to wear down activists in addition to physical violence.
People stateside have been very impressed with action in HK, taking notes on topics from communications to practicalities like quick extinguishing of gas grenades. Here it's often difficult to achieve sufficient density due to geographic dispersion as well as different political conditions.
People stateside have been very impressed with action in HK, taking notes on topics from communications to practicalities like quick extinguishing of gas grenades. Here it's often difficult to achieve sufficient density due to geographic dispersion as well as different political conditions.
"Suspended" just means that it would be passed as soon as the protest pressure lets up. That's not good enough. They haven't made it yet.
They could start protesting for regime change in Beijing.
Being part of China goes both ways. :-)
Being part of China goes both ways. :-)
According to the news, it’s unlikely that any progress on the bill will be made until next year, based on this protest. It is not just suspended, they also canceled further open discussions about it.
"Suspended" is a word to save face. Article 23 passage is also "suspended". For all practical purposes the bill's dead.
This is nothing but a temporary delay. It will still be passed soon enough. Remember Hong Kong is on a 50 year countdown anyway so there’s always an inevitable end coming.
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Who knows what things will be like then? China could be a democracy or something else.
According to the news, it’s unlikely that any progress on the bill will be made until next year, based on this protest. It is not just suspended, they also canceled further open discussions about it.
> Remember Hong Kong is on a 50 year countdown anyway so there’s always an inevitable end coming.
I used to think that and it is logical
But the basic law does not have an expiration date, only HK’s geographical status does
So it theoretically can still exist under a separate legal system , the point is that there are possibilities
I used to think that and it is logical
But the basic law does not have an expiration date, only HK’s geographical status does
So it theoretically can still exist under a separate legal system , the point is that there are possibilities
"The current social and economic systems in Hong Kong will remain unchanged, and so will the life-style. Rights and freedoms, including those of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of travel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, of choice of occupation, of academic research and of religious belief will be ensured by law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Private property, ownership of enterprises, legitimate right of inheritance and foreign investment will be protected by law."
http://www.gov.cn/english/2007-06/14/content_649468.htm
China needs the West and it is politically unsavvy for China to renege on the rights granted before 2047. However, the British Foreign Office announced that Chinese officials now treat the Joint Declaration as "void".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration
http://www.gov.cn/english/2007-06/14/content_649468.htm
China needs the West and it is politically unsavvy for China to renege on the rights granted before 2047. However, the British Foreign Office announced that Chinese officials now treat the Joint Declaration as "void".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration
Yea no the HK govt needs to withdraw the bill and explicitly guarantee no extradition without conviction under HK law for people to feel safe. If China can extradite whoever they want from HK, HK has no sovereignty and no separate identity from China.
This is mentioned in the article as not being good enough and is just postponing the issue. (I would post a quote, but the Bloomberg mobile site is not cooperating with me).
That's indeed true. But I see such suspension as a kind of signal that Beijing would like to compromise, which is nearly impossible. In practice, the "suspension" simply means that it's over because Beijing doesn't want to "lose face" and intentionally picked a moderate word to make both sides happy.
Note that the government statement says "There is no timetable for restarting the process." Even if the government had completely retracted the amendment, they could draft another amendment anytime anyway. That's why I think they've made it.
Not yet. She needs to take responsibility and step down.
> the Chinese government typically doesn't compromise at all under pressure.
This isn't the central government of China. The government in question is the government of the Hong Kong SAR.
This isn't the central government of China. The government in question is the government of the Hong Kong SAR.
Yeah, but obviously the Chief Executive simply takes Beijing's order for all such big movements.
I've heard this a lot. So, under British rule, did the Chief Executive do anything against the Queen's will?
That's not obvious. Hong Kong has its own political dynamic, and is deeply divided between pro- and anti-Beijing camps.
The chief executive is basically a pawn of Beijing, where democracy is limited and many delegates who elect the CEO are appointed by pro Beijing groups.
If HK got rid of their appointed delegates, the anti-Beijing group would have a clear majority.
If HK got rid of their appointed delegates, the anti-Beijing group would have a clear majority.
It's not clear who would have the majority if functional constituencies were eliminated. The pro-Beijing camp got a higher proportion of the popular vote than the anti-Beijing camp in the last Legislative Council election.
Yes, democracy is limited in Hong Kong. The city has never been ruled democratically. The issue now is that Beijing will not take the risk of allowing separatists to take power.
As for the Chief Executive's actions, it's not entirely clear to what extent she's responding to popular pressure, business groups in Hong Kong that want stability, or the central government.
Yes, democracy is limited in Hong Kong. The city has never been ruled democratically. The issue now is that Beijing will not take the risk of allowing separatists to take power.
As for the Chief Executive's actions, it's not entirely clear to what extent she's responding to popular pressure, business groups in Hong Kong that want stability, or the central government.
> As for the Chief Executive's actions, it's not entirely clear to what extent she's responding to popular pressure, business groups in Hong Kong that want stability, or the central government.
I would say, the Chief Executive is more like a coordinator between Hong Kong and Beijing on such big issues. I don't think she is able to make important decisions like this on her own.
I would say, the Chief Executive is more like a coordinator between Hong Kong and Beijing on such big issues. I don't think she is able to make important decisions like this on her own.
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which has been becoming more and more hardline since 1997. Besides, the HK government cannot act on her own on such big issues. It has to be consulted with the PRC government.
I strongly believe that the people of Hong Kong should have the right to self-determinism. There is nobody alive who has lived under Chinese rule in Hong Kong. For reference, I am British. I hope that someday Hong Kong can be recognized as a country in its own right.
As do the people of Tibet. Tough being under the umbrella of an autocratic up-and-coming superpower. Hong Kong has no chance of achieving independence anytime soon.
Why is Northern Ireland still part of Britain?
Mostly because the majority of people living there wish to be remain part of the United Kingdom.
That's incredible. That's about one or two people from every household participating. Democracy FTW.
> Democracy
Is it though? Or... Something closer to communism with a democracy wrapper over it.
The part I find most confusing is that Hong Kong believed China's word on separate laws separate courts. That was going to be the case until it wasn't convenient, which I suppose is now.
China didn't keep their word you say!? Whaa!?
Is it though? Or... Something closer to communism with a democracy wrapper over it.
The part I find most confusing is that Hong Kong believed China's word on separate laws separate courts. That was going to be the case until it wasn't convenient, which I suppose is now.
China didn't keep their word you say!? Whaa!?
> Hong Kong believed China's word on separate laws separate courts
Plenty of Hong Kongers left before 1997 for this exact reason.
It wasn't a question about whether Hong Kong believed China's assurances - that decision was made in London, not Hong Kong.
Plenty of Hong Kongers left before 1997 for this exact reason.
It wasn't a question about whether Hong Kong believed China's assurances - that decision was made in London, not Hong Kong.
2M is ~27% of its population. Mind blowing if 2M is roughly correct.
Is that around 2/7th of the population? What are some alternative systems to make the people have a stronger impact?
2/7th is huge. The Bolsheviks had a tiny, tiny percentage of the population and they took over Russia. Also 2/7 participation doesn’t mean 2/7th support. A lot of people might support the movement but are unwilling for various reasons to take to the streets. 2/7 is historic and huge.
The other 5/7 may watch TVB - a HK TV channel of which to many people is their only news source, and which has since been bought by mainlanders, just like many other media and publishing assets in HK - and believe in something totally else.
No joke, if you watch only TVB news, you will think the HK government is doing a great job and these protesters are arrogant, dis-obedient trouble-makers.
The gap in understanding can be really really big.
No joke, if you watch only TVB news, you will think the HK government is doing a great job and these protesters are arrogant, dis-obedient trouble-makers.
The gap in understanding can be really really big.
> No joke, if you watch only TVB news, you will think the HK government is doing a great job
I get that: we have the same thing here in the USA with many newspapers and some TV stations. Heck, because of this, some people actually believe President Trump is a Russian Agent, you know, despite the fact that he is one of the great capitalists of all time, and he never ran for Any elected office until he won the Presidency--a feat which was all but impossible... still they think Putin made that happen, because that is what they are told.
I get that: we have the same thing here in the USA with many newspapers and some TV stations. Heck, because of this, some people actually believe President Trump is a Russian Agent, you know, despite the fact that he is one of the great capitalists of all time, and he never ran for Any elected office until he won the Presidency--a feat which was all but impossible... still they think Putin made that happen, because that is what they are told.
I stand corrected: I said > "and he never ran for Any elected office until he won the Presidency"
Technically he did run in 2000, I apologize for the inaccuracy; however it was more akin to dipping one's toe into the shark infested waters of big time politics than a full on assault.
I still feel he accomplished the impossible; like Marquez does in MotoGP, or Senna did in F1--people like that are Rare indeed, and I respect the hell out of that ability, and you trifle with them at your own risk.
Technically he did run in 2000, I apologize for the inaccuracy; however it was more akin to dipping one's toe into the shark infested waters of big time politics than a full on assault.
I still feel he accomplished the impossible; like Marquez does in MotoGP, or Senna did in F1--people like that are Rare indeed, and I respect the hell out of that ability, and you trifle with them at your own risk.
> he never ran for Any elected office until he won the Presidency
What about his failed presidential campaign in 2000? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_2000_presidential...
What about his failed presidential campaign in 2000? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_2000_presidential...
https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/ has lots of videos of the events today, for those who want more than static photos.
Good timeline with pics here:
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3014695...
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3014695...
How is it they are not fucked? No country that wants to continue to do business with China is going to back this uprising. Is there an imaginible sequence of events that doesn't result in either capitulation or a violent crushing of dissent?
They're actually succeeding- the government has backed down and apologized. The protests are pushing on for the resignation of the Chief Executive.
Keep in mind this new extradition law also applied to foreign, non-HK/CN citizens visiting Hong Kong legally. Companies operating in HK _really_ did not want this bill, either,
Keep in mind this new extradition law also applied to foreign, non-HK/CN citizens visiting Hong Kong legally. Companies operating in HK _really_ did not want this bill, either,
I don't think we can conclude the long-term intent from backing down now. It could be simply kicking the can down the road. Beijing might just be waiting to try this later. The longer they wait, though, the riskier it gets to push the Socialist system onto Hong Kong. It seems more and more citizens are willing to defend Democracy than has been the case in Hong Kong's past. If the numbers are correct, this is more protestors than the Umbrella movement.
Hong Kong is still a finance heavyweight and still a gateway to China for many. Many Chinese companies in the past few years have and prefer to list their IPOs in HK rather than elsewhere because of HK's stable economy and I'm sure they would like to keep it that way (for now).
US killed Huawei overnight, a world-class competitor which was basically beating US companies, using pretty shoddy justification. So I would not rule out no one can challenge China, China is not the US. And even if it were Vietnam still beat their ass.
Justa matter of time before Beijing use Tiananmen force to quell these protesters. Done so multiple other places like Xinjiang and Xizang.
I thought Xi was smarter than this. Between this and his inability to end tarriff escalation with Trump, Xi is looking vulnerable on foreign policy.
Doesn't USA have same extradition treaty with most countries and under Patriot act anyone can be extradited without due process from any of this nations
Hopefully the common folks in mainland China are watching, and is not censored, and take inspiration from HK folks in marching and fighting for their human rights.
To give due credits, the Hong Kong people put great effort to ensure that the protests--both the Umbrella protest in 2014 and the anti-extradition protest in 2019--are peaceful, largely because they don't want to turn Victorial Park into another Tiananmen Square--there are 6000 PLA troops stationed in Hong Kong, and they will come out once the Hong Kong police loses control of the situation.
Hong Kong people learned from mainland China first. I do hope that one day mainland China could learn back, when the time calls for it.
Okay, as for the bit on cleaning trashes [1], we don't learn it from China, we learn it from Japan (for example [2]). Well, we all have something to learn from each other.
[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c18ybh/protester_...
[2]: https://nextshark.com/japanese-world-cup-fans-clean-stadium-...
Hong Kong people learned from mainland China first. I do hope that one day mainland China could learn back, when the time calls for it.
Okay, as for the bit on cleaning trashes [1], we don't learn it from China, we learn it from Japan (for example [2]). Well, we all have something to learn from each other.
[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c18ybh/protester_...
[2]: https://nextshark.com/japanese-world-cup-fans-clean-stadium-...
While I agree with your other words, is the last paragraph really necessary? If you want us mainlanders to trust you, it is advisable to not praise Japan when it is not directly related to the conversation.
Mainlanders are also perfectly capable of doing it, although we are not doing as good as we can.
https://www.chinasmack.com/chinese-football-fans-pick-up-tra...
Downvote me all you want, I still support your democratic movements. But if you truly want mainlander to hear your voice, talking about how good Japan is is counterproductive.
If you want to make friends with the victims, it is not a good idea to talk about how morally superior the criminals are. Please explain why are you down-voting this. I changed my mind seeing your previous posts, and I may change again if you can point out my mistake.
Mainlanders are also perfectly capable of doing it, although we are not doing as good as we can.
https://www.chinasmack.com/chinese-football-fans-pick-up-tra...
Downvote me all you want, I still support your democratic movements. But if you truly want mainlander to hear your voice, talking about how good Japan is is counterproductive.
If you want to make friends with the victims, it is not a good idea to talk about how morally superior the criminals are. Please explain why are you down-voting this. I changed my mind seeing your previous posts, and I may change again if you can point out my mistake.
Thank you for your honest reply, I just upvoted you.
> While I agree with your other words, is the last paragraph really necessary? If you want us mainlanders to trust you, it is advisable to not praise Japan when it is not directly related to the conversation.
I agree that the last paragraph is not necessary. But I did learn something from your reply to my last paragraph.
I personally separate the Japanese people we see nowadays from the wartime Japan under militarism, and I think this sentiment is popular among the recent generations in Hong Kong (and perhaps in Europe and US, etc). Older generations in Hong Kong, who experienced the Japanese occupation, think differently, understandably.
So to a Hong Konger like me, praising Japan does not have any strings of nationalism attached. It is like praising the spice in Thai food (and this is irrelevant to whether we like Chinese food, or China). And that's why I am being over-insenstive here, and I could have done better.
Likewise, most of Hong Kong people could separate mainland people from CCP.
> Mainlanders are also perfectly capable of doing it, although we are not doing as good as we can.
> https://www.chinasmack.com/chinese-football-fans-pick-up-tra...
Thanks for letting me know something I was not aware of, and I sincerely praise those mainlanders for their effort. Keep up with the good work.
As your linked article also suggests, Japan is leading the world in cleaning after themselves, that's why I gave credit to them.
And back to the protest, I mention that Hong Kong people are cleaning trashes in protest [1], because I disagree with the "riot" charge by the government [2], which could result in a maximum term of ten years.
[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c18ybh/protester_...
[2]: https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/13/hong-kong-protesters-c...
> While I agree with your other words, is the last paragraph really necessary? If you want us mainlanders to trust you, it is advisable to not praise Japan when it is not directly related to the conversation.
I agree that the last paragraph is not necessary. But I did learn something from your reply to my last paragraph.
I personally separate the Japanese people we see nowadays from the wartime Japan under militarism, and I think this sentiment is popular among the recent generations in Hong Kong (and perhaps in Europe and US, etc). Older generations in Hong Kong, who experienced the Japanese occupation, think differently, understandably.
So to a Hong Konger like me, praising Japan does not have any strings of nationalism attached. It is like praising the spice in Thai food (and this is irrelevant to whether we like Chinese food, or China). And that's why I am being over-insenstive here, and I could have done better.
Likewise, most of Hong Kong people could separate mainland people from CCP.
> Mainlanders are also perfectly capable of doing it, although we are not doing as good as we can.
> https://www.chinasmack.com/chinese-football-fans-pick-up-tra...
Thanks for letting me know something I was not aware of, and I sincerely praise those mainlanders for their effort. Keep up with the good work.
As your linked article also suggests, Japan is leading the world in cleaning after themselves, that's why I gave credit to them.
And back to the protest, I mention that Hong Kong people are cleaning trashes in protest [1], because I disagree with the "riot" charge by the government [2], which could result in a maximum term of ten years.
[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/c18ybh/protester_...
[2]: https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/13/hong-kong-protesters-c...
> separate the Japanese people we see nowadays from the wartime Japan under militarism
Yes, this is the sane choice. Unfortunately we both know that bad news draw more attention from the general public. Just like many mainlanders still remember vividly that (a small fraction of) HKers called them as locusts, when some Japanese say something bad about China, it gets spread much much faster than other news and stays in the memory for a long time. I was merely stating the fact that it is not a good idea to praise Japan in a conversation in general unless necessary, given the current state of our media. But still, their officials need to stop visiting the Shrine, or the names of the war criminals need to be removed.
> "riot" charge by the government
Usual CCP bs. My stand on this is that: HK is the best candidate for advocating changes to the CCP, if you can succeed before 2047 then we really own you a big favor. But HK should also remember that this is our internal affair, no foreign organization should interfere. The West can be used as extra pairs of eyes to keep the CCP checked so it doesn't repeat the disaster happened in Tiananmen square, but that's it. I hope you can understand why we don't trust the West, after we have witnessed the events happened elsewhere.
Yes, this is the sane choice. Unfortunately we both know that bad news draw more attention from the general public. Just like many mainlanders still remember vividly that (a small fraction of) HKers called them as locusts, when some Japanese say something bad about China, it gets spread much much faster than other news and stays in the memory for a long time. I was merely stating the fact that it is not a good idea to praise Japan in a conversation in general unless necessary, given the current state of our media. But still, their officials need to stop visiting the Shrine, or the names of the war criminals need to be removed.
> "riot" charge by the government
Usual CCP bs. My stand on this is that: HK is the best candidate for advocating changes to the CCP, if you can succeed before 2047 then we really own you a big favor. But HK should also remember that this is our internal affair, no foreign organization should interfere. The West can be used as extra pairs of eyes to keep the CCP checked so it doesn't repeat the disaster happened in Tiananmen square, but that's it. I hope you can understand why we don't trust the West, after we have witnessed the events happened elsewhere.
> I was merely stating the fact that it is not a good idea to praise Japan in a conversation in general unless necessary, given the current state of our media.
Agreed, and points taken. Thanks.
> My stand on this is that: HK is the best candidate for advocating changes to the CCP, if you can succeed before 2047 then we really own you a big favor. But HK should also remember that this is our internal affair, no foreign organization should interfere. The West can be used as extra pairs of eyes to keep the CCP checked so it doesn't repeat the disaster happened in Tiananmen square, but that's it. I hope you can understand why we don't trust the West, after we have witnessed the events happened elsewhere.
That's reasonable. Thanks for voicing out your main concern: that China may lose control to foreign organization, hence CCP should stay unless absolutely unbearable. I think I understand more how mainlanders think now.
Agreed, and points taken. Thanks.
> My stand on this is that: HK is the best candidate for advocating changes to the CCP, if you can succeed before 2047 then we really own you a big favor. But HK should also remember that this is our internal affair, no foreign organization should interfere. The West can be used as extra pairs of eyes to keep the CCP checked so it doesn't repeat the disaster happened in Tiananmen square, but that's it. I hope you can understand why we don't trust the West, after we have witnessed the events happened elsewhere.
That's reasonable. Thanks for voicing out your main concern: that China may lose control to foreign organization, hence CCP should stay unless absolutely unbearable. I think I understand more how mainlanders think now.
(Could not edit the parent comment for one more remark)
> I still support your democratic movements. But if you truly want mainlander to hear your voice, talking about how good Japan is is counterproductive.
Thank you for your support, and for the honest opinion. It is important for us to understand how you think. I hope we can understand each other better with enough communication.
> I still support your democratic movements. But if you truly want mainlander to hear your voice, talking about how good Japan is is counterproductive.
Thank you for your support, and for the honest opinion. It is important for us to understand how you think. I hope we can understand each other better with enough communication.
Anyone who gets a glimpse of images but not the real story is being told it is a festive parade, kid you not.
It will be rough. China is unlikely to rest.
Yes, but she's probably too occupied at the moment to kick another honest's nest.
Also, HK can be a valve for the Chinese economy if the trade war continues to deteriorate.
The majority of the Chinese people have no idea what's happening in HK anyway, so it's not like HK will lead to troubles in other Chinese cities by itself, at least not in the short-term. So it is IMO wise for the Chinese government to leave HK alone for the time being.
Also, HK can be a valve for the Chinese economy if the trade war continues to deteriorate.
The majority of the Chinese people have no idea what's happening in HK anyway, so it's not like HK will lead to troubles in other Chinese cities by itself, at least not in the short-term. So it is IMO wise for the Chinese government to leave HK alone for the time being.
It's so silly Hong Kong is on its way back to China. I hope there is some future in them being an independent nation.
Every article I see about the HK protests makes sure to focus on how non-violent the gathering was. I see many people framing that non-violence as a better way to affect change in their government.
I sincerely hope that a non-violent protest gets these people the change they want, but I take real issue in framing violent protests as unnecessary when your historically oppressive government refuses to listen to the will of its people.
I sincerely hope that a non-violent protest gets these people the change they want, but I take real issue in framing violent protests as unnecessary when your historically oppressive government refuses to listen to the will of its people.
As others have pointed out, HK government is not historically oppressive, physically speaking. So if the protesters initiate violence without being provoked, mass opinions may change real quick.
IMO we better consider this on a case-by-case basis. If non-violent protests can and will work in more places in future, why not?
IMO we better consider this on a case-by-case basis. If non-violent protests can and will work in more places in future, why not?
Like I said, I hope they work, but I see no reason for the HK government or Beijing to respect this, given there's no actual threat of the people protesting in a more forceful way.
There was supposed to be a general strike tomorrow (Monday), but since the government has suspended the legislation, it seems to be called off (I said "seems" because there is no clear leadership in the current protest movement).
It got pretty bad in the late 60s, ironically with pro Mao demonstrators during the cultural revolution (which had some spill over into HK).
You're right, I should have added: "after the 60s riots".
Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the reminder.
I didn't know about this, for anyone else curious -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1967_leftist_riots
The American Revolution was basically a violent protest and is widely celebrated. One person’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter.
The point is that politicians always use the inevitable violence that arises when you have demonstrations to discredit the legitimity of the demonstration.
I'm French and politicians have become very very good at this.
I'm French and politicians have become very very good at this.
Violent protests in this case directly play into the hands of CCP and gets you PLA with HK Police uniforms on the streets.
Also any change that comes through "gun" rarely turns into ballot friendly. Once armed the erst while "freedom" fighters will start fighting for their clan/class/tribe/interests.
Also any change that comes through "gun" rarely turns into ballot friendly. Once armed the erst while "freedom" fighters will start fighting for their clan/class/tribe/interests.
>Also any change that comes through "gun" rarely turns into ballot friendly
The IRA in Ireland used plenty of guns and it helped them win real political power in a ballot friendly way.
The IRA in Ireland used plenty of guns and it helped them win real political power in a ballot friendly way.
Do you understand that PLA can march into HK without any tricks, invariably of that?
I'd also mention that there were many times in the past when Beijing genuinely considered that option.
During yellow umbrella protests last year for examples, 3 regiments in Guandong province were not simply put into high readiness, but actually mobilised, i.e. troops issued ammo, and vehicles fuelled and armed.
I will not be surprised if a bigger operation is underway right now, and we simply don't know it. VPNs have been jammed 24/7 for more than a week, more intensively than even during 4.6 anniversary. New bootstrapping IP ranges are blocked within minutes on major VPNs. I've never ever seen it being so extreme ever.
I'd also mention that there were many times in the past when Beijing genuinely considered that option.
During yellow umbrella protests last year for examples, 3 regiments in Guandong province were not simply put into high readiness, but actually mobilised, i.e. troops issued ammo, and vehicles fuelled and armed.
I will not be surprised if a bigger operation is underway right now, and we simply don't know it. VPNs have been jammed 24/7 for more than a week, more intensively than even during 4.6 anniversary. New bootstrapping IP ranges are blocked within minutes on major VPNs. I've never ever seen it being so extreme ever.
Violent protests != violent coup
Violent protests brings out the tanks and people start dying literally in the streets. Unless you are talking about actual revolution, violent protest accomplishes nothing and results in losing the moral high ground which is critical if one is to have international support. Violent protest in Hong Kong would result in Beijing sending in soldiers to suppress the rebellion under the guise of “public safety.” You get martial law and its justified (using their calculus) as protecting people from harm from the violent protesters. Violent protest in China would result in thousands dead and Beijing accelerating the 2047 expiration of the two systems, one country agreement. Bad idea.
So if Beijing is just going to send military force if they perceive something that will truly threaten change in HK, but they did not send anything, what does that tell you about the probable outcome of these non-violent protests?
I think the protestors are fighting the good fight, but I'm not holding my breath that anything will actually come about because 2 million people stood in the street.
I think the protestors are fighting the good fight, but I'm not holding my breath that anything will actually come about because 2 million people stood in the street.
Violent protest that is not “actual revolution” doesn’t bring change. It just leads to fighting in the streets as the parent said.
compare the violent protests that ignited the Syrian civil war (actual revolution) to the violent protests that resulted in no actual revolution (Rodney King riots, yellow vests in France, etc) to consider the difference, I think.
compare the violent protests that ignited the Syrian civil war (actual revolution) to the violent protests that resulted in no actual revolution (Rodney King riots, yellow vests in France, etc) to consider the difference, I think.
There is little distinction. One leads to another.
If you can dig news in well, you know that Syria began with some bakers protesting flour price hike and them roughing up some policemen.
A lot of revolutions stared with public disturbance events which had only tangential relation to political context, with Russian revolution being the best known example
If you can dig news in well, you know that Syria began with some bakers protesting flour price hike and them roughing up some policemen.
A lot of revolutions stared with public disturbance events which had only tangential relation to political context, with Russian revolution being the best known example
It would be a huge risk. China is on the ropes in the political theater. Sending military troops to put down civilians in a free trade capital of the world would not earn them any favors.
I could see the 2047 date being extended. Hong Kong, as a percentage of China's total GDP, is just 2%, whereas back in 1997 it was about a quarter. Hong Kong isn't as economically relevant to China as it once was. So, let it be as-is under "One Country, Two Systems" to keep the peace with trade partners.
I doubt that any of this is even passes by Beijing strategic calculus.
Above protests being violent or non-violent, what concerns Beijing more is them keeping going for that long.
What Beijing truly fears the most is them made look powerless. Pretty much the sole point of propaganda in China is to instill the idea of the state being allpowerful, and omnipotent.
Above protests being violent or non-violent, what concerns Beijing more is them keeping going for that long.
What Beijing truly fears the most is them made look powerless. Pretty much the sole point of propaganda in China is to instill the idea of the state being allpowerful, and omnipotent.
China has learned a lot since 1989, not necessarily the best lessons, but they at least have a well trained non lethal anti riot force (part of the PAP) and wouldn’t resort to the PLA unless as a best last resort even in mainland cities. One of the tragedies of 1989 is that China basically had no non lethal anti riot capabilities.
When a government deploys violence anyway people do have a right of self-defense. There's a broad spectrum of criminality from refusal to disperse following an order to do so, through interferences with public property like removal or deployment of barricades, through interference, confiscation or damage to vehicles, through direct physical confrontation which has its own escalatory tree.
Non-violence is a position but must have limits, otherwise you are demanding that people become punchbags of the state and preemptively invalidating all resistance against oppression, thereby amplifying the oppressor's narrative. A government in sufficient trouble will kill nonviolent people anyway and while it will lose moral legitimacy it is often willing to accept that as the price of strategic advantage, because the reality is that state actors can get away with killing people under many circumstances.
What we sometimes see (as here) is a triangle between government, capital, and people. Capital threatens to depart if government is overly aggressive and likes to pat itself on the back for its regulatory capability, but at the same time capital uses government to keep people subservient to those who control the wealth; one might say it's similar to fleecing sheep and aiming to slaughter as few and as humanely as possible. Large capital interests farm people within the legal and executive infrastructure of states for all practical purposes.
Non-violence is a position but must have limits, otherwise you are demanding that people become punchbags of the state and preemptively invalidating all resistance against oppression, thereby amplifying the oppressor's narrative. A government in sufficient trouble will kill nonviolent people anyway and while it will lose moral legitimacy it is often willing to accept that as the price of strategic advantage, because the reality is that state actors can get away with killing people under many circumstances.
What we sometimes see (as here) is a triangle between government, capital, and people. Capital threatens to depart if government is overly aggressive and likes to pat itself on the back for its regulatory capability, but at the same time capital uses government to keep people subservient to those who control the wealth; one might say it's similar to fleecing sheep and aiming to slaughter as few and as humanely as possible. Large capital interests farm people within the legal and executive infrastructure of states for all practical purposes.
Hong Kong's government is historically not oppressive to its people. It's generally considered to be one of the most libertarian places on Earth. If they were to get violent against their oppressors, they'd be getting violent against mainland China. (They don't want to get violent against mainland China).
Some notes
* French yellow vests are ignored week after week. This is all over the place.
* HK already has extradiction with the USA.
* USA debacle demanding a journalist extradition to prosecute.
* Protesters posters are in english.
* Mainstream narrative, small HK will be successful independent. UK brexit will be terrible because it will be a insignificant country.
* French yellow vests are ignored week after week. This is all over the place.
* HK already has extradiction with the USA.
* USA debacle demanding a journalist extradition to prosecute.
* Protesters posters are in english.
* Mainstream narrative, small HK will be successful independent. UK brexit will be terrible because it will be a insignificant country.
This is a very solid round-up of what faceless accounts have been spamming all over Twitter since this story emerged.
These arguments are weak enough to strain credulity. Almost all of them can be answered by saying "the context is very different"
1. Yellow Vests - no overlap in what is being protested. Dissatisfaction with policy vs dissatisfaction with fundamental political rights = very different context.
2. Extradition with rule of law abiding country that isn't explicitly trying to silence your dissidents = very different context.
3. Assange situation is complex and one-off, and the charges are more complicated than just reporting on stuff. It is also being openly discussed, scrutinized and will be prosecuted openly in a legal system. What routinely happens with dissidents and party critics extradited to China is very different.
4. HK was under British rule for a long time and there is a large English-speaking base.
5. Narrative about HK has to do with categorically different political / economic freedoms than the mainland. There's subtlety beyond a comparison like "what will be the bigger GDP"
These arguments are weak enough to strain credulity. Almost all of them can be answered by saying "the context is very different"
1. Yellow Vests - no overlap in what is being protested. Dissatisfaction with policy vs dissatisfaction with fundamental political rights = very different context.
2. Extradition with rule of law abiding country that isn't explicitly trying to silence your dissidents = very different context.
3. Assange situation is complex and one-off, and the charges are more complicated than just reporting on stuff. It is also being openly discussed, scrutinized and will be prosecuted openly in a legal system. What routinely happens with dissidents and party critics extradited to China is very different.
4. HK was under British rule for a long time and there is a large English-speaking base.
5. Narrative about HK has to do with categorically different political / economic freedoms than the mainland. There's subtlety beyond a comparison like "what will be the bigger GDP"
The "Assange situation" is not complex, and it's not one-off. He published numerous secret documents that were deeply embarrassing to the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, and many other countries. He is being targeted for entirely political reasons, and the cooperation of the British and Ecuadorian authorities is likewise politically motivated. In the case of Britain, the motivation is twofold. Assange released documents about the UK government's actions, and the government wants to maintain good relations with the United States. In the case of Ecuador, the motivation is better relations with the United States and access to IMF loans.
The persecution of Assange is not one-off, because it sets a precedent for future prosecution of journalists in the United States, and it establishes that journalists are in danger in any country that has an extradition agreement with the United States.
Given all the concern about the Hong Kong extradition law being used to target critics of the Chinese government, I would expect the same people who oppose the HK law to also vigorously defend Julian Assange against extradition to the United States for political crimes.
The persecution of Assange is not one-off, because it sets a precedent for future prosecution of journalists in the United States, and it establishes that journalists are in danger in any country that has an extradition agreement with the United States.
Given all the concern about the Hong Kong extradition law being used to target critics of the Chinese government, I would expect the same people who oppose the HK law to also vigorously defend Julian Assange against extradition to the United States for political crimes.
Also after the recent Assange developments, there was the Australia ABC raid after another journalist/leaker, with a warrant to “view/change/delete” anything in the station. And 2 more journalists arrested in France, covering the yellow vests, possibly not “correctly”.
Those were not arguments, it is what I see and might consider fact. That I would like people to give their opinions or just think about it.
USA is law abiding? It is the country with more prisoners global and per capita. Doesn’t look good. And Guantanamo? Patriot act? Also not when bombing other countries. They have shown more than once USA powerful are above the law.
Perhaps they should not accept extradition to China and also rescind to USA.
USA is law abiding? It is the country with more prisoners global and per capita. Doesn’t look good. And Guantanamo? Patriot act? Also not when bombing other countries. They have shown more than once USA powerful are above the law.
Perhaps they should not accept extradition to China and also rescind to USA.
Let's be fair, Yellow Vest has been going on for months. And France has a democratic system in place. Use it!
>* Protesters posters are in english.
There are just far too many Chinese Poster you don't get to see.
>* Protesters posters are in english.
There are just far too many Chinese Poster you don't get to see.
Also, yellow vests protests at the top were less than 200k people, in a country of tens of millions.
The only reason they made the news is because protests were violent.
The only reason they made the news is because protests were violent.
First the yellow never realy made headlines.
The focus on the violent parts is intentional. HK poor people repressive police, France poor police violent protestors. Both are supposedly peaceful with clashes with the police.
In France. 15 protestors dead, 0 policeman. 4000 injured. 8000 arrested.
Estimation was 282k one single time, and after lower than that. But it has been continuous, with people every week all over the country. And all unions and society sectors participating.
The focus on the violent parts is intentional. HK poor people repressive police, France poor police violent protestors. Both are supposedly peaceful with clashes with the police.
In France. 15 protestors dead, 0 policeman. 4000 injured. 8000 arrested.
Estimation was 282k one single time, and after lower than that. But it has been continuous, with people every week all over the country. And all unions and society sectors participating.
> First the yellow never realy made headlines.
In Italy, they made headlines for months. The italian vice-premier went to talk with some random GJ leaders. Parties from the italian far right and far left went to demonstrate with the GJ.
If it didn't make the news where you live, I'm very surprised.
In Italy, they made headlines for months. The italian vice-premier went to talk with some random GJ leaders. Parties from the italian far right and far left went to demonstrate with the GJ.
If it didn't make the news where you live, I'm very surprised.
France has a democratic system, Hong Kong has no democratic way to get rid of Lam.
USA has due process, the right to council and many other fundamental human rights.
Most of the posters are in Chinese.
Brexit will be worse for the UK economically, leaving China would be good for HK democratically. And, also, the UK has an enshrined right to leave thanks to article 50, HK does not have that right at all.
USA has due process, the right to council and many other fundamental human rights.
Most of the posters are in Chinese.
Brexit will be worse for the UK economically, leaving China would be good for HK democratically. And, also, the UK has an enshrined right to leave thanks to article 50, HK does not have that right at all.
UK people also have no democratic process to get rid of appointed EU leaders and bureaucrats. And even leaving the entire thing is being difficult.
USA is the country with more incarcerated people globally and per capita. (possibly unfairly?)
The posters are possibly most in Chinese. Maybe it was the selection from western sources. Although there is a very big amount in English.
USA is the country with more incarcerated people globally and per capita. (possibly unfairly?)
The posters are possibly most in Chinese. Maybe it was the selection from western sources. Although there is a very big amount in English.
> USA has due process, the right to council and many other fundamental human rights.
Surely you jest. USA practices extraordinary rendition, torture, and assassination of their own citizens without trial.
Surely you jest. USA practices extraordinary rendition, torture, and assassination of their own citizens without trial.
Not even remotely to the same extent as China. Even Joaquin Guzman gets a trial.
Anwar al-Awlaki didn't get one.
I guess just a little bit of extrajudicial murder by the State is OK.
I guess just a little bit of extrajudicial murder by the State is OK.
It is never ok, but there is a clear difference in the extent to which it occurs, the legality of it and how it’s handled by the government. For example, Gui Minhai has also criticized the US government but they didn’t kidnap him and keep him from exercising his right to council.
Or is your argument that every country that has performed extra judicial punishments, no matter the circumstances or judicial proceedings that followed, is as unreliable in its protection of human rights as China?
Or is your argument that every country that has performed extra judicial punishments, no matter the circumstances or judicial proceedings that followed, is as unreliable in its protection of human rights as China?
> is as unreliable in its protection of human rights as China?
The US is vastly worse than China in this regard. Hundreds of thousands have been slaughtered by the US govt in the middle east in the past two decades alone. The US does OK (and yes, obviously much better than China) domestically, but their respect for human rights ends at the border.
The US is vastly worse than China in this regard. Hundreds of thousands have been slaughtered by the US govt in the middle east in the past two decades alone. The US does OK (and yes, obviously much better than China) domestically, but their respect for human rights ends at the border.
And this is a discussion about domestic courts, that’s what’s relevant to this article because those are the ones HK would extradite to. Extraditing to an American court is far more in line with respecting human rights than to a Chinese court.
Chinese and English are both official languages of Hong Kong under the Hong Kong Basic Law (article 9) and the Official Languages Ordinance (chapter 5 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
Most of the signs were in either Chinese or bilingual (English on one side, Chinese on the other). Because we are a bilingual city but also so that western media could understand what we are protesting about.
Obviously the western media used photos of protestors displaying the English side because it's easier and more convenient to explain
Obviously the western media used photos of protestors displaying the English side because it's easier and more convenient to explain
It’s a bit sad feeling like this level of participation would never happen in the US. I’m not sure what the reason is, but likely a mix of being a highly individualistic society, apathy, distraction.
> this level of participation would never happen in the US
It probably would. We just don’t have an issue that imminently and clearly threatens the wellbeing of 2/7ths of the population, and for which a simple solution (e.g. withdrawing a bill) presents itself.
When American cities get pissed off and form a consensus, they certainly turn out.
It probably would. We just don’t have an issue that imminently and clearly threatens the wellbeing of 2/7ths of the population, and for which a simple solution (e.g. withdrawing a bill) presents itself.
When American cities get pissed off and form a consensus, they certainly turn out.
I’m sure more than 2/7 of the population would argue the current president immediately threatens their wellbeing, but won’t demonstrate to show it.
If they earnestly believe their wellbeing is immediately threatened, then what is your theory for why they don't care to mass protest about it?
Very few people in the USA feel that their wellbeing is being threatened by Trump in the same way that many people in HK feel threatened by the Chinese government.
You're wrong about that. It's a lot more obvious in Hong Kong because they're concentrated in a relatively small geographic area.
I bet that if you didn’t tell people who was president, the vast majority of Americans would notice exactly no differences between the last president. Slightly different tax rates and slightly different employment rates maybe, but practically no detectable difference. People’s retirement accounts are still healthy, people have jobs, wage growth (or non growth) is similar. The only difference is the level and type of rhetoric. Businesses might notice that it’s a bit easier to get things done, but the actual change between Obama and Trump is benign when you take the media out of it. Deportations of illegal aliens was actually higher under Obama if that’s your issue. But the US is characterized by stability and even under Trump, the US is a functionally stable as it has ever been. Under Reagan, a certain element was convinced the sky was falling, under Obama, the same thing. The US isn’t perfect, but it’s all going along reasonably well. The media likes to create non-stop urgency over everything, but that helps them sell more ads. I don’t buy into the hype that the world is ending. We could always be better and not everyone will ever be happy, but for most of us, American politics is two sides of the same coin and we like it like that. We don’t want revolutionary shifts every four or eight years; we want stability and predictability — that’s why our economy is so strong and our currency so safe.
Nobody’s wellbeing is being immediately affected by this president any more than the last one.
Nobody’s wellbeing is being immediately affected by this president any more than the last one.
I wouldn't be so sure. If the entire US decided to gang up on one city, especially a city with a strong identity (New York or Boston) then you might see this.
Look at how New York responded after 9/11. Now put yourself in the shoes of the people of Hong Kong. When a group of people come to believe they are facing an existential threat, they respond in extraordinary ways.
Look at how New York responded after 9/11. Now put yourself in the shoes of the people of Hong Kong. When a group of people come to believe they are facing an existential threat, they respond in extraordinary ways.
The last massive protests that looked like this took place in multiple cities over several weeks. That was leading up to the Iraq war. They were ignored.
Were the Iraq war protesters facing existential threats? No. So the situations are not comparable.
Imagine if the US passed a law allowing Southern States to extradite, prosecute, and imprison anyone in New York for criticizing the Republican party. You'd have ten million New Yorkers out in full force.
That is the magnitude of this situation.
Imagine if the US passed a law allowing Southern States to extradite, prosecute, and imprison anyone in New York for criticizing the Republican party. You'd have ten million New Yorkers out in full force.
That is the magnitude of this situation.
Because we can do it every 4 years while they have to bottle it up for a long time
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If you create an infinite array of dialectics, you can destroy all cohesiveness and ensure that the individual is the highest level of organization in society.
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I feel the opposite, I’m glad we don’t need these protests because the solution is to just go out and vote.
We aren’t being oppressed. If the US decided to suspend the first and second amendments, start soviet style “collectivization,” or other extreme attacks on freedom, Americans would take to the streets as well. The US, despite cynicism of a select few, still operates under a Constitution with reasonably well functioning institutions. If people want something in the US, there are elections with results that are respected (mostly.) Trump being elected, Ocasio-Cortez being elected — examples of elections that came from people being frustrated with whatever frustrates them. Obama’s election was the same way. Being a republic is messy and imperfect, but change can happen when enough people want it. We don’t have to riot in the streets because rarely is anything bad enough at an individual level to warrant such action.
What do you expect us to rally for? Genderless bathrooms?
How about : "how come we have more than 500.000 people file for bankruptcy every year, due to medical bills?"
That’s bad. It’s not nearly as bad as “my way of life and the way of life for all my friends and family is completely at risk”
Filing for bankrupcy doesn't sound even nearly as scary as being extradited into China.
We're killing people in concentration camps and the administration fairly wallows in corruption.
I'm Swedish, born and raised in Gothenburg. After the Umbrella protests in 2014 five people connected to the Causeway Bay Books store in Hong Kong disappeared. One of them is a naturalized Swedish citizen, his daughter was raised in my home town. He is now imprisoned and can't communicate with his daughter, or with the Swedish authorities. Angela Gui, his daughter, is continuing on the struggle for his release to the extent she can, being only 21 when her father disappeared.
All these arguments about "leave China be" or "this isn't the West's problem" just don't make any sense to me. This is a small world, whether we like it or not, and letting authoritarian stuff like this extradition treaty to a dictatorship slide is condoning it and before you know it your citizenship, constitutional rights and passport which you thought would keep you safe doesn't work anymore and you get snatched from a street for something you've said. Your family can only cry themselves to sleep over it from the feeling of powerlessness.
We don't have to go into hypotheticals about what will happen if China gets more power to persecute people of Hong Kong. In Sweden, we already know what they've done with the limited power they hold now.