Democracy Threatened in Hong Kong?

The steady relationship between Hong Kong and Beijing could be hitting a rocky point as members of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement have rejected to moves made by Beijing which have made clear that they (meaning the Government in Beijing) intends to directly influence who runs for political leadership position when elections are scheduled to take place in 2017. The comments coming from Beijing’s top Government officials have caused anxiety among pro-democracy advocates because of China’s growing influence within the region and also the possibility of

Beijing interfering in what is supposed to be Hong Kong’s year of independence. The statements coming from China’s National People’s Standing Committee made on Sunday August 31st, 2014 was made directly to contradict the wanting of a free and fair election where Hong Kong Citizens could directly elect their political leadership within any outside influence.

In contradiction with that desire for a free and fair election the standing committee has announced that “it will decide” who is approved to run for political leadership during the 2017 Hong Kong Election angering many in the pro-democracy movement. Hong Kong was under the rule of the United Kingdom until 1997 which was then transferred over to China until 2017. This system of governance became known as the one country two system method.

Part of the requirements for a candidate to be considered for the election, is that two of the three potential candidates must be approved by at least 50% of the members of the standing committee, which effectively puts Beijing in charge of the election.

Progress to democracy threatened in Hong Kong

In response to Beijing’s threats’, Hong Kong’s pro- democracy movement, Occupy central took to the streets to protest along with interrupting sever pro- Beijing member speeches throughout the city. The occupy movement also threatened to cause disruptions throughout Hong Kong’s influential business district threatening the main reason that many businesses’ have come to the area, stability.

“Ultimately the legal system is pretty much answerable to Beijing but they have chosen to allow Hong Kong to live in a bit of a bubble”, Nigel Davis said who is a lecturer of law at the University of Hong Kong. “It looks like that bubble could burst” Professor Davis went onto say. In response to Beijing’s threats, Martin Lee who is the founder of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, went onto say, “Hong Kong will have one person one vote, but Beijing will select all the candidates; puppets”.

However, despite all the opposition to the proposed election of 2017, there are still some who support the upcoming election, most notably the editorial board members of the South China morning post who said in an editorial, “ It is in the best interest of the city to adapt the change, and strive for further improvements in the future.”