China warns again against Hong Kong democracy push

news.yahoo.com...

HONG KONG – China has warned that a plan by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong to use a special election as a de facto referendum on democratic reform is a threat to stability in the former British colony. While Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, it maintains a separate political system and enjoys Western-style civil liberties typically denied on the mainland. But Beijing has continued to deny full democracy. Hong Kong's leader is chosen by an 800-member committee stacked with pro-China figures and its legislature is half elected, half picked by special interest groups. Pro-democracy activists have argued for years that the wealthy financial hub of 7 million people is mature enough to choose its own leaders. In their latest campaign, five opposition legislators — one from each of Hong Kong's five major electoral districts — resigned in January, triggering a special election. Opposition parties plan to field candidates in the by-election, hoping to turn the territory-wide contests into a de facto referendum on democratic reform.

Hong Kong's leader is chosen by an 800-member committee stacked with pro-China figures and its legislature is half elected, half picked by special interest groups.

Strangely, this looks very similar to the U.S.'s political structure doesn't it?

It could be, Hong Kong was a British colony after all.

Maybe this explains the remnant of capitalistic ideology compared to more communist mainland China. Plus, it was only 13 years ago.

[edit on 7-3-2010 by jjjtir]

I know someone who is currently residing in HK, and China is already indoctrinating young children by making them say the national anthem every time they start class and not to mention that they continually market athletes to children. Certainly an insidious way to subvert children and teach them dangerous things. (Could be argued another country does the same thing, but that's for another thread.)

Hmm, what could China possibly do to HK if they push for democracy? Will they attempt to instil some control by marching in and being the asshats we know they are?

reply to post by Romantic_Rebel

HONG KONG – While Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, it maintains a separate political system and enjoys Western-style civil liberties typically denied on the mainland.

The haves and the have nots.

The Government will eventually have to do something in order to maintain control. Simply stacking the political arena in their favor doesn't change peoples minds. It will have to be a fine balancing act. On one hand in a supposedly formerly "Socialist-Communist" now [Capitalist] state the people have been "Educated" for years that none are better than others. Now with China's economic free zones some are not only Wealthier but more independent than others. [The Bulk of the 1.2 or 1.6 BILLION. Depends on whose figures you believe.]

This has the potential to create strife between the smaller wealthier more westernized groups of freer thinking Chinese and the majority of the still poor and rural masses.