UN Tens of thousands march against China in Hong Kong

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3471763

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Tens of thousands of Hongkongers marched through the streets yesterday, on the anniversary Hong Kong's sovereignty being handed to China in a show of dissatisfaction with China's encroachment on democracy in the autonomous territory.

Hong Kong, a former British colony had its sovereignty handed to China on July 1, 1997 on the promise that Hong Kong would maintain its political and economic independence and civil liberties will be safeguarded for 50 years. Despite this, China has systematically encroached on Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law.

Thousands of protestors matching (Associated Press image)

An estimated 50,000 people protested according to the march organizer, the Civil Human Rights Front, while police claim that 9,800 were present. Police commonly under estimate the size of protests in Hong Kong.

The protestors rallied against one-party rule in China and China's strengthening grip on life and democratic institutions in Hong Kong.

Sign reads Chinese President Xi Jinping is "not my president" (Associated Press image)

Some protestors carried yellow umbrellas, in a display of democratic activism, and to recall the Umbrella Movement and mass protests in 2014.

man (centre) holds yellow umbrella (Associated Press image)

One group of protestors carried a sign saying "End one party rule in China".

protestors carrying sign saying "End one party rune in China" (Associated Press image)

The People Power coalition, a pro-democracy movement also attended the rally in force, carrying signs also saying "End one party rule in China".

People Power coalition at the march (Associated Press image)

Some protested other controversial Chinese actions, including the house arrest of Liu Xia (劉霞), widow of democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo (劉曉波).

Man holding sign saying "Free Liu Xia!" (Associated Press image)

Numerous protestors carried the Hong Kong colonial flag, too.

Man waving Hong Kong colonial flag (Associated Press image)

During the march, other groups protested domestic problems including recycling, environmental issues and housing affordability, reports say.

 

[millais]

The Hong Kongers have never enjoyed full democracy at the executive level. Until 1997, the Colonial Governor was directly appointed by the British government, and since 1997, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong is voted on by the population from a ballot of candidates that is pre-selected by a small committee of around 100 Beijing-appointed Hong Kong business tycoons and CCP sympathizers.

You can blame the Chinese all you want for the way they have reneged on the terms of the 1997 treaty, but it's really the fault of Perfidious Albion that the UK's negotiators did not advocate strongly enough for full democracy for the Hong Kongers when it came down to the wording of the treaty. The British knew going in that the Chinese would contest the point, but when push came to shove, the British were too cowardly to do the right thing.

 

[John Titor]

It's a special administrative region together with Macau. They still retain some independence like having a completely free market, driving on the left, etc. but the Mainland influence is intended to slowly creep in. And they're not liking it.

The fuck kind of backwards place are we talking about here?

I never thought about it but I wonder what it's like to drive between two countries that drive on different lanes.

 

[KO 864]

It seems that the Honkees want the Honkies back. I support anything that takes power away from China so go on them. I hope this all works out well.

 

[Zarkov]

I just assumed Hong Kong was part of China.

I thought so too at first but then I couldn't spot a single tank in those pictures, so it must not be.

 

[Derp Potato]

It's always nice to see East Asian countries "rebel" against China. It's happening more often, it seems.

Now we just need Japan to get a lil crazy again.