Hong Kong Protests

[pietillidie]

I've been meaning to start this thread for a couple of weeks, but I haven't had time to go into the subject in any depth.

Recent events follow protests going back a number of years, but the extradition bill does seem to be a psychological line in the sand.

A serious challenge to the nationalist authoritarianism of the mainland is certainly overdue; far better it comes from Hong Kong than sinophobes in distant countries.

Will this movement simply be beaten into line, or could it represent something more transformative? There's a resolve about the protesters which suggests they aren't going anywhere in a hurry.

[David]

They've been incredibly courageous. A real turning point seems to have been the Triads turning up and beating up protesters – clearly intended to intimidate (strange, or perhaps not, how often organised criminals end up doing the dirty work of authoritarian states), but only seems to have galvanised greater protests. I guess the students in Hong Kong recognise this as a fight to the death, and that all is lost if some meaningful independence isn't retained before the handover is completed in 2046.

[stui magpie]

This has been inevitable ever since Britain handed back Hong Kong to the Chinese, and it won't end well.

You have generations of people born on Hong Kong who don't consider themselves Chinese any more and resent the control.

Hong Kong was the ultimate free market economy set up by the British and populated, run and enjoyed by Chinese who fled the main land and it's rules.

China will win this and Hong Kong will fall. It may not happen now, China may choose to back off from this confrontation (or may not) but it's inevitable

[stui magpie]

Nice bit of analysis on the Hong Kong situation and some reasons why China is being cautious about throwing it's weight around.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/would-china-send-troops-to-hong-kong-to-crush-the-protests/11392704

[Woods Of Ypres]

why are they protesting here?
shits me to tears

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-16/pro-hong-kong-rallies-see-tensions-boil-over-melbourne-adelaide/11423332

[David]

Out of solidarity? All power to them.

In the meantime, this is a worry. Hoping there's not another Tiananmen Square in the works (surely not).

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-15/satellite-photos-chinese-armoured-vehicles-shenzhen-hong-kong/11415740

[Morrigu]

Screw Hong Kong and China - they and their government are decimating the population and existence to the point of extinction so many animals through their greed and disgusting "cultural" practices!

If and when they decide to do something - actually DO something about this then I might give a fat rat's clacker about their rights! Until then well MEH!

https://africageographic.com/blog/hong-kong-failing-tackle-illegal-wildlife-trade-study/

[shawthing]

All power to the Hong Kong protesters. This is showing that China hasn't changed their Communist stripes one bit.

Isn't anyone else disturbed by the strange alliance between Global Capitalist Corporations and Communist regimes like China? It is so much easier to do "business" when pesky democrats don't get in the way.

[stui magpie]

Melbourne has a metric shitpile of Chinese, and the Chinese government keeps close tabs on them, particularly the students.

So no surprise to see them protesting in support of Hong Kong, also no surprise to see China "loyalists" counter protesting.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see, if this escalates, some Chinese students trying to claim political asylum here which would really set a cat amongst the pigeons.

[think positive]

Scary what they just showed on the news,

[stui magpie]

Interesting infographic on how Hong Kong came to be and the countdown to 2047

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-13/hong-kong-protests-british-history-chinese-future-interactive/11469290

[David]

Very interesting, thanks Stui.

[partypie]

Speaking to a family from Hong Kong this week

People are also pissed at the British for leaving them with limited options to leave.

The administrator under the British was appointed not elected, so it was never completely democratic.

Older people made their plans and emigrated, younger ones feel trapped

[stui magpie]

originally the protests were supposedly about the proposed extradition law. They got their way on that but instead of stopping they've escalated. Seriously.

Property damage, injuring Police, I'm not sure what their goal is now but they're really pushing their luck.

I had some sympathy for them, that's running out.

What I find amazing is the predictable handwringing from protesters when they take it too far and Police react. it's a well worn script.

1 guy tried to attack a cop and got shot, the protesters all carried on about attempted murder. FMD, the Police have been extraordinarily patient and have the right to defend themselves.

We see it repeated. Police monitor a demonstration that starts off peaceful, then some push it too far, start vandalising things and breaking laws, Police move to take action and the farquits scream Police Brutality.