On 4 September, Hong Kong held its Legislative Council election, with record voter turnout (albeit only 58%), and results that won't please Beijing. The 'one country, two systems' vision is losing out to self-determination and even independence. Beijing is no doubt aware of these sentiments, but finds itself in a difficult position. Its efforts so far at enveloping Hong Kong into the mainland's embrace have not succeeded, but losing the city is absolutely unthinkable.Having visited Hong Kong more than once as a Crown Colony, and repeatedly since, I wondered how its people would adjust to ChiCom rule. The answer is, apparently, "not well." The article describes views of the government.
For most Chinese people, state power has come to be perceived as an immovable inevitability – it is how it is, it cannot be changed, and there's no point in trying. This is not the case for many Hong Kongers, including the new, young voices in politics. For them, the very idea that the mainland Chinese government sees itself as an immutable truth in Hong Kong life is uncomfortable.The parents and grandparents of many young HK residents fled Communist persecution, oppression, and hunger. As refugees they literally risked their lives to reach British-ruled Hong Kong, normally leaving behind whatever little they had.
Their children have heard the stories of terror, exhaustion, and eventual deliverance. Convincing these kids to be docile wards of Beijing will be a hard sell.
