The Last Governor 1: A Democratic Time-Bomb, part 5 of 7

[therepublicofHK]

1.) Not at all, glad I could help. China could have effected a hypothetical vote in several ways; a.) Intimidation; threats to business interests, shutting off the water, even direct military action. b.) Utilising pro-China HK trade unions to vote for pro-China candidates c.) Intimidation of pro-democratic activists and politicians through criminal elements. Unfortunately, as fantastic as it sounds, China has resorted to all three of these methods in the past and will likely do so again.

[therepublicofHK]

2.) China has had only on consistent policy since the 1949 revolution and that is the One-China policy (even communism was effectively dismantled). The policy states that only a strongly unified China can protect against the exploitation and internal strife that marked the 19th & 20th century. In reality China has followed a de facto federalist model, while aggressively pursuing a culturally & politically hegemonic China.

[therepublicofHK]

3.) One need only look to Tibet to find evidence of this. I am not suggesting that form of repression will occur in HK, but does explain the fear that people have. To have introduced significant democracy before 97 would have given the HK people a taste of self-determination, which to China would have been seen as an effort by a former colonial power to divide and conquer once again.

[therepublicofHK]

4.) While I believe the federalist model and even the Union model, bears greater consideration, I understand China's position. But I am a Hong Konger and strongly believe that the destiny of HK should rest with the HK people. This belief is incompatible with the one China policy, as is genuine (not sham) democracy in HK.

[prokkets]

are you from Hong Kong? also if the British wanted more democracy in Hong Kong they could have done it a long time ago, do you agree?

[therepublicofHK]

Indeed I am, as my name might suggest. Ideologically speaking the UK supports democracy, however, it was not until the 70s the majority of HK people were born in HK, also with the Cultural Revolution inspired terrorism of the 60s, there was a real concern that China would use its leverage to influence any election held in HK.

[therepublicofHK]

(con't) But one cannot effectively govern without listening to the people. The solution was the urban council and functional constituencies. Gradual democratisation was occurring in HK right up until the handover, but once the joint declaration was signed China had final say.

[therepublicofHK]

(con't 2) Yes, Britain could have and should have, but to do so would have angered China at a very dangerous time (under Mao) and allowed China to gain access to the political system by influencing the vote. Also important to remember was the fact that a HK identity really didn't exist until at least the 70s and this is critical to democracy.

[therepublicofHK]

The point is the UK was committed primarily to stability but also to a slow democratisation, whereas China is committed to integrating HK into greater China and that does not involve democracy unless it enhances stability (which it does). Mind you 'democracy' as far as China is concerned is one where the results are a foregone conclusion, this is not possible as the HK identity is not one that is compatible with China's.

[prokkets]

you won't find any american politicans, or americans, so well spoken as this governor and the chinese interviewed in this documentary. extraordinary diction. everyone in US is being dumbed down, its bad.

[therepublicofHK]

Well, Clinton wasn't that bad, Carter had his moments as well. G.W Bush and the odious Dick Cheney overshadow them somewhat. I hold out hope, however, that the result of their eight year term will be an aversion to 'Bush-speak' and ill conceived neo-conservatism. Good luck!

[therepublicofHK]

Notwithstanding my previous post, the tycoons that make up HKs oligarchy are a loathsome lot of sycophantic turncoats who hide their knighthoods and OBEs in a draw when their new masters from Beijing come calling. Eloquent or not they're a despicable blight on HK which they bury with money in the hopes no one notices their cowardice... Thank god for Jimmy Lai.