A City at the Crossroads

Hong Kong: a modern metropolis. The most visited city in the world. A hub of commerce and innovation. All that could be destroyed over the next two years, as political turmoil typhoons the island with increasing ferocity. In 2014, the Chinese Communist Party tried to strengthen their grip on the Island by reforming the Hong Kong election system. Student protestors and democratic activists vowed to fight these changes. How will the protests pan out, what effect will they have on Hong Kong, and what will the international reaction be?

For much of the 20th century, Hong Kong was under British Administration. Although they received the Island as war booty in 1842, the British took good care of the Island by most measurements. Population, and by 1997 Hong Kong has been transformed from a tiny fishing village to a massive trading metropolis with a GDP double that of Greece (1). Life had more than just economic benefits. Hong Kong inhabitants had British citizenship, rights to elect their own chief executive, and had one of the most respected police force in the world.

In 1997, the city was given back to the mainland and placed under the authority of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Many of Hong Kong’s citizens were fearful of the change. How will Hong Kong’s democracy fare under the repressive Communist regime? Initially, not much changed. Hong Kong was allowed to keep its government structure and its cyclical elections. Even criticism of the regime was tolerated (2). Recently, however, the CCP had begun to tighten its grip on the city. Election reforms in 2014 forced candidates for the city’s chief executive position to pass through CCP screening before they stand for election. Hong Kong’s reaction was immediate and fiery. Thousands of activists, (many of whom were college students) took to the street to protest, resulting in a 3 month long conflict.

As the 2017 elections (the first post-reform election) approaches, tensions will certainly only increase. Hong Kong is at a fork in the road where democracy and prosperity seem to be on opposite sides. Continued protests will destroy the city’s economy and tourism sector, while victory for the CCP will snuff out the city’s democracy.

Works cited:

1: World Bank GDP Report 2014

2: "Country Report 2009". Freedom House. Retrieved 14 December 2009.