TYLER NEWTON – Beijing maintains independence is not an option for Hong Kong.[1] But don’t tell that to Hong Kong Separatist movement. Six candidates running under the pro-democracy separatist movement won seats during the September 4th Legislative Council (LegCo) elections.[2]
All six of the winning candidates, each under 40 years old—including a 23 year old[3]—were inspired by the 79-day “Umbrella Revolution” in 2014.[4] The Umbrella protests saw tens of thousands of protesters flood the streets of Hong Kong claiming that Beijing reneged on an agreement to grant them open elections by 2017, and demand “true universal suffrage.”[5] Protestors complained that in the years before the protest, Beijing had been systematically tightening its grip over Hong Kong, causing residents to feel politically marginalized and economically squeezed.[6]
These young candidates no longer believe Hong Kong can maintain its civil liberties under the current “One China, Two systems” arrangement between Hong Kong and mainland China.[7] Such thinking represents a radical ideological shift from the previous pro-democracy politicians who sought only to expand voter power under the mini-constitution that codified the “One China, two systems.”[8] The younger generation has become increasingly frustrated with Beijing, the failure of the Umbrella Revolution and Hong Kong’s long-term prospects.[9]
Pro-Beijing politicians in Hong Kong may only have themselves to blame for the September results. Before the election, the Hong Kong government took “extraordinary” measures to disqualify five pro-independence candidates.[10] The result was more people voting in the elections than any other election since Hong Kong reverted back to China.[11]
The six-seat gain by the separatists is remarkable. Even as little as two years ago, few people Hong Kong publicly supported breaking from the Mainland.[12] Now, the separatist movement actively seeks to build enough public support to force Beijing to allow Hong Kong to vote on a binding referendum guaranteeing complete autonomy or even outright freedom.[13] The referendum will not be won in the LegCo, which has restricted powers.[14] LegCo can, however, block government initiatives.[15]
Beijing’s heavy-handed intervention will only further enflame the separatist movement. Those who are protective of their free speech were rightfully worried for their privilege after a pro-Beijing Hong Kong official publicly reprimanded a separatist publication.[16]
Unless Beijing allows Hong Kong more autonomy, the separatist movement will continue to grow. As the recent elections prove, Hong Kong’s legal battle for autonomy is gaining momentum.
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[1] Yuen Ying Chan, Hong Kong and the Realities of China’s Rise, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/27/opinion/hong-kong-and-the-realities-of-chinas-rise.html?ref=world.
[2] Lian Yi-Zheng, Can Beijing Stop Hong Kong’s Separatists?, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/opinion/can-beijing-stop-hong-kongs-separatists.html.
[3] Michael Forsythe, Alan Wong, In Hong Kong, Young Protest Leaders Win Seats in Local Elections, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/world/asia/hong-kong-election.html.
[4] Id.
[5] Jonathan Kaiman, Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution, The Guardian, Sep. 25, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/-sp-hong-kong-umbrella-revolution-pro-democracy-protests.
[6] Id.
[7] Michael Forsythe, Alan Wong, In Hong Kong, Young Protest Leaders Win Seats in Local Elections, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/world/asia/hong-kong-election.html.
[8] Id.
[9] Lian Yi-Zheng, Can Beijing Stop Hong Kong’s Separatists?, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/opinion/can-beijing-stop-hong-kongs-separatists.html.
[10] Michael Forsythe, Alan Wong, In Hong Kong, Young Protest Leaders Win Seats in Local Elections, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/world/asia/hong-kong-election.html.
[11] Id.
[12] Lian Yi-Zheng, Can Beijing Stop Hong Kong’s Separatists?, N.Y. Times, Sep. 25, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/opinion/can-beijing-stop-hong-kongs-separatists.html.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
