Occupy Hong Kong, the pro-Democracy movement which was active in 2014 in opposing strict new requirements implemented by Beijing in the upcoming 2017 Chief Executive elections is trying to start up again in an attempt to challenge Beijing. The new group of protesters are launching the fresh version of Occupy has consisted of ten retirees split between men and women who believe that the original movement did not achieve its original goal in limiting the influence that Beijing has in Hong Kong’s upcoming election.
“We still haven’t got democracy despite last year’s Occupy. We need to continue our fight here,” Chin Po-Fun said, a retired Correctional Service Department officer and democracy activist. Occupy activists are upset over the requirement that the candidates who wish to participate in the 2017 Chief Executive Election must pass a loyalty committee test which proves their loyalty to Beijing.
“Since the long term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner” a statement by Beijing read regarding the announcement.
In order to be approved for a potential leadership position the candidate must be approved by 50% of a committee that consists of 1,200 members who are heavily in favor of Beijing and its policies directed toward Hong Kong and keeping it in its sphere of influence.
Although there are many who are in support of the fresh start up of Occupy, there are some, who are strongly opposed to the movement like the Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying “For those of you who are registered voters, vote them out next year…. Go to the polling stations and vote them out.” Mr. Chun- Ying said to influential investors at a conference on March 26th.
Hong Kong was granted its independence on July 1st 1997 when Great Britain handed over sovereignty of Hong Kong to China after a 99 year lease.
The clearing out of the Occupy took place in December 2014 when the police cleared the streets of Hong Kong’s financial district which leaders feared could interrupt the influential economic sector.
“We are here to remind everybody that our dream is still far from reality” an activist identified as NG recently said. No victory is achieved easily in history. “You may say it is meaningless for us to stand here but for me there’s still a glimmer of hope” the statement continued.
Ultimately, it will be up to the citizens of Hong Kong to remain vigilant in the run up to the 2017 election and to make sure that their dream of absolute sovereignty is not interfered by outside influence and to continue their political awareness and activism.
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