China must stop meddling

China must stop meddling

Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong shouts as he is carried by policemen arresting protesters at a monument symbolising the territory's 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule, a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping was due to arrive for the celebrations. (Reuters photo)
Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong shouts as he is carried by policemen arresting protesters at a monument symbolising the territory's 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule, a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping was due to arrive for the celebrations. (Reuters photo)

Upon his arrival in Hong Kong yesterday afternoon, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged that his government would support the territory's economic development and improvement of people's lives and that he "wishes Hong Kong can once again achieve splendour".

But Beijing's increasing interference in the semi-autonomous region's politics, education, the media and civil liberties has undermined the future of this Asian financial centre.

Just before his visit to mark the 20th anniversary of Britain's handover of Hong Kong to China tomorrow, authorities on Wednesday night arrested at least 26 pro-democracy activists who were camped near the sculpture of a golden bauhinia flower, a gift from China to mark the handover.

The protesters, including student activist Joshua Wong (banned in Thailand) and 23-year old legislator Nathan Law, were still under detention as of press time.

When it took back Hong Kong in 1997, China adopted a "one country, two systems" deal, promising to allow civil liberties unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But a series of incidents over the years has stoked fears about Beijing's tightening control. These include the secret detention of five Hong Kong booksellers in mainland China, and a failed attempt to introduce patriotic national education in schools seen as a Communist brainwashing tool.

Beijing's actions are seen as backtracking on promises to the people of Hong Kong. These have prompted a gradual decline in both the morale of the people and the business environment.

As the financial hub of Asia, Hong Kong at one point was supposed to rival the likes of London and New York. But today, 20 years since the handover, the territory is losing its position as a global financial capital. Hong Kong's competitiveness in financial services has been eroded by Shanghai, Singapore and London. Shanghai has become the hub for a lot of business and Hong Kong is gradually becoming an extension -- the international stretch of Shanghai. Singapore, a city-state that was nowhere near Hong Kong two decades ago, has become another financial centre for the region.

As Hong Kong loses its business identity on the world stage, its people have been suffering from an "identity crisis" over whether to call themselves Chinese or Hong Kongers under China's rule.

Hong Kong has been embroiled in political upheaval which has seen pro-democracy movements seeking more freedom of speech and wider electoral freedom. The territory's population has rallied against the authorities who have been toeing Beijing's line and clamping down on liberal-minded youth.

The so called "umbrella" protests in 2014 sent a signal to Beijing about what the people of the territory can and are willing to do to live up to the commitment that China made upon the handover.

As heavy security is deployed across Hong Kong for tomorrow's anniversary ceremony, more protests are expected.

Mr Xi's remarks yesterday may help soothe the fears of some of the island's politically divided population. But liberal-minded people of the territory will recognise the way that Hong Kong has been dealt with under China's heavy-handed rule.

The decline of Hong Kong and its place on the world stage along with the growing disgruntlement of its people is ongoing. Only Beijing can make things right by living up to the commitment of the "one country, two systems" principle.

The lost glory of the territory is also a lesson for other authoritarian governments, including the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, who apply harsh approaches to tackle dissidents. Thailand could use this as a lesson and make things right before it is too late.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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