Take Down the Umbrella

 

The 2014 Hong Kong protests, also known as the Umbrella Revolution, began in September 2014 when activists in Hong Kong protested outside the government headquarters and occupied several major city intersections after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) announced its decision on proposed electoral reform.
 

In disallowing civil nominations, the NPCSC made it clear that a 1200-member nominating committee, which would remain nominated by the business factions would elect two to three electoral candidates with more than half of the votes before the general public can vote on them.
 

The Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism began protesting outside the government headquarters on 22 September 2014 against the NPCSC's decision.
 

On 28 September, protesters blocked both east and west arterial routes in northern Hong Kong Island near Admiralty. Police tactics, including the use of tear gas, and instances of attacks on protesters by opponents that included triad members, triggered more citizens joining the protests.
 

Obviously, facing with this serious protest, the government of China has to take some actions to prevent the situation becoming worse.
 

However, it is hard to make the decision.
 

Because of the "One Country, Two Systems" constitutional principle, there would be only one China, but distinct Chinese regions could retain their own capitalist economic and political systems. Under the principle, Hong Kong could continue to have its own political system, legal, economic and financial affairs, including external relations with foreign countries.
 

Nonetheless, after all, this is only one country. The total laissez-faire model cannot help China develop as a whole. As a whole, it will be much better if China can name the governors in Hong Kong. So, China ran a new policy in Hong Kong – you could have the right to do the election, but only from the candidates I selected.
 

Of course Hong Kong is dissatisfied with this modified policy. When rules change, the first respond is usually resisting them. However, after claim down and think about it carefully, is this modified policy bad for both Hong Kong and the Mainland China?
 

When people thinking of Hong Kong, they usually make different descriptions. Some observe from the rule of law say that Hong Kong has a mature and diverse court system. When talking about the prosperity, people would say that Hong Kong is a highly economic-oriented society. From the media part, people admit that Hong Kong has a higher degree of freedom. Through the Umbrella Revolution this time, we can also feel that Hong Kong is a community with highly diverse interests.
 

All of these characteristics only show parts of Hong Kong. However, the basic and most important point is that Hong Kong is a part of the People's Republic of China where the central government allows practicing capitalism.
 

The irrational part of the Umbrella Revolution is that it pushes Hong Kong to choose a side. Hong Kong, in some sense, is sandwiched between the Mainland China and the Western world. So, it has more choices. If Hong Kong is smart enough, it is better to be the integration of policies and avoid joining the policies disagreement between Mainland China and Western world, because in this way, Hong Kong could fully mobilize both two parties and benefits from them.
 

Actually, I think China has already given Hong Kong a large degree of freedom and autonomy. On the whole, the overall regulation that Central expected is completely understandable. The policies in China and western countries are different. Admittedly, Hong Kong developed rapidly when it was under the British control. That is also the reason why China gives Hong Kong a high level autonomy. However, after the reunification, Hong Kong is not a highly developed colonial anymore. It became a part of China. It has more responsibilities but not only develop itself.
 

To say the least, China did not deprive the democratic right to vote in Hong Kong. The new regulations are meant to provide more convenient to implement policy. It is possible that the new policy could bring some bad influences to Hong Kong, but it is also worthy to try it once. In my opinion, I am very optimistic about the future if Hong Kong combines Capital and Communism. So, I think Hong Kong should pay more attention to the result of this policy, but not the right to vote.
 

If Hong Kong becomes the battleground of the tug-of war between western and Mainland China, things will be miserable for people in Hong Kong. The ultimate outcome of Hong Kong’s development, the financial center in Asia, must be decline.
 

I hope Hong Kong's mainstream society can firmly oppose the radical forces, which is trying to make Hong Kong a political arena between the West and China.
 

The whole world, except the Mainland China and Hong Kong itself, will not really care about the future of Hong Kong. If Hong Kong is fading, western powers, which applause for the protest, will never tear about it even a little. Hong Kong must remain sober and help students understand the world. For China and also for Hong Kong, the "Umbrella Revolution" must end.