Aljazeera: Hong Kong activist renews calls for independence

[Hamartia Antidote]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018...enews-calls-independence-180814082423700.html

Hong Kong independence activist Andy Chan attacked China as an empire trying to "annex" and "destroy" the city in a no-holds-barred speech on Tuesday.

Chan, who leads the tiny Hong Kong National Party, said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) that Beijing was semi-autonomous Hong Kong's "colonial master".

"We are a nation that is quickly being annexed and destroyed by China," Chan told a packed room.

"If Hong Kong were to become truly democratic, Hong Kong's sovereignty must rest with the people of Hong Kong. China is, by its nature, an empire - a threat to all free peoples in the world."

Chan called on Britain and the United States to help Hong Kong. He added he was under increased "surveillance" by groups of people he did not know, who had been following him and knocking on his family's door to take pictures of them in the lead up to his speech.

'Totally inappropriate'
The lunch address - titled Hong Kong Nationalism: A Politically Incorrect Guide to Hong Kong under Chinese Rule - was condemned by China's foreign ministry and Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam.

Despite pressure from authorities, the club stood by its decision to go ahead with the event, saying the views of different sides in any debate must be heard.

The Hong Kong government said while it backs freedom of the speech and the press, it "deeply regrets" the event since advocating independence contravened the city's Basic Law, or mini-constitution.

"It is totally inappropriate and unacceptable for any person to openly promote and advocate the independence of Hong Kong," a spokesman said. "As such, it is also totally inappropriate and unacceptable for any organisation to provide a public platform to espouse such views."

China's foreign ministry in a statement "condemned" the correspondents' club for hosting Chan and said there is a "bottom line" for freedom of speech. It said any words or actions that attempted to split Hong Kong from China would be "punished in accordance with the law" and that the FCC was "not outside the law".

"We urge the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club to take a good look at itself, correct mistakes, follow the laws of China and the Special Administrative Region with practical actions, and respect the feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people," the foreign ministry said.

'Treasonous talk'
Al Jazeera's Rob McBride, reporting from Hong Kong, said Chan wasn't talking about a violent overthrow of Chinese rule, but instead achieving independence through peaceful means.

"Any talk of independence, as far as pro-Beijing protesters are concerned, is really treasonous kind of talk, treasonous behaviour, and a lot of their anger has been directed not only at Andy Chan but also at the journalists here for giving this man a platform," he said.

Chan's Hong Kong National Party is facing a ban from city authorities who say it is a threat to public security despite having only a dozen members.

It is the first time such a ban has been sought since Britain handed over control of Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997.

Hong Kong enjoys freedom of speech and assembly unseen on the mainland under the handover agreement between Britain and China.

 

[Beast]

There is no independent Hong Kong in the first place and how do Hong Kong be colonial to China? LOL..

I can bet these activist received millions of dollars from his colonial master CIA to do the job.

 

[Beast]

china may break like ussr.this is problem with communism that it cannot keep people together for long period

I think Pakistan will break first before China even breaks up. The Pashtun will want to separate from Punjabi.

 

[Figaro]

china may break like ussr.this is problem with communism that it cannot keep people together for long period

I'm sorry but the USSR was an artificial union of different nationalities that often had quarrels with each other (e.g. Russians vs Ukrainians). China is not an artificial union of nationalities ... the country has a bunch of ethnic minorities but all of them consider themselves to be Chinese. So the same force that drove the breakup of the USSR cannot apply to this scenario ... and let me remind you that China is not Communist anymore (economic and socio-wise).

I think Pakistan will break first before China even breaks up. The Pashtun will want to separate from Punjabi.

Their problem with the Baloch minority is ten times worse than China's issue with the Uyghur minority.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018...enews-calls-independence-180814082423700.html

Hong Kong independence activist Andy Chan attacked China as an empire trying to "annex" and "destroy" the city in a no-holds-barred speech on Tuesday.

Chan, who leads the tiny Hong Kong National Party, said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) that Beijing was semi-autonomous Hong Kong's "colonial master".

"We are a nation that is quickly being annexed and destroyed by China," Chan told a packed room.

"If Hong Kong were to become truly democratic, Hong Kong's sovereignty must rest with the people of Hong Kong. China is, by its nature, an empire - a threat to all free peoples in the world."

Chan called on Britain and the United States to help Hong Kong. He added he was under increased "surveillance" by groups of people he did not know, who had been following him and knocking on his family's door to take pictures of them in the lead up to his speech.

'Totally inappropriate'
The lunch address - titled Hong Kong Nationalism: A Politically Incorrect Guide to Hong Kong under Chinese Rule - was condemned by China's foreign ministry and Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam.

Despite pressure from authorities, the club stood by its decision to go ahead with the event, saying the views of different sides in any debate must be heard.

The Hong Kong government said while it backs freedom of the speech and the press, it "deeply regrets" the event since advocating independence contravened the city's Basic Law, or mini-constitution.

"It is totally inappropriate and unacceptable for any person to openly promote and advocate the independence of Hong Kong," a spokesman said. "As such, it is also totally inappropriate and unacceptable for any organisation to provide a public platform to espouse such views."

China's foreign ministry in a statement "condemned" the correspondents' club for hosting Chan and said there is a "bottom line" for freedom of speech. It said any words or actions that attempted to split Hong Kong from China would be "punished in accordance with the law" and that the FCC was "not outside the law".

"We urge the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club to take a good look at itself, correct mistakes, follow the laws of China and the Special Administrative Region with practical actions, and respect the feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people," the foreign ministry said.

'Treasonous talk'
Al Jazeera's Rob McBride, reporting from Hong Kong, said Chan wasn't talking about a violent overthrow of Chinese rule, but instead achieving independence through peaceful means.

"Any talk of independence, as far as pro-Beijing protesters are concerned, is really treasonous kind of talk, treasonous behaviour, and a lot of their anger has been directed not only at Andy Chan but also at the journalists here for giving this man a platform," he said.

Chan's Hong Kong National Party is facing a ban from city authorities who say it is a threat to public security despite having only a dozen members.

It is the first time such a ban has been sought since Britain handed over control of Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997.

Hong Kong enjoys freedom of speech and assembly unseen on the mainland under the handover agreement between Britain and China.

Independence for Hong Kong is beyond a wet dream at this point. China could very easily block any overland supply routes and initiate a naval blockade. Hong Kong would wither within hours ... these people should make the most of their freedom before 2047 comes. How about these people worry about REAL issues ... like Hong Kong's ridiculous real estate prices and the soaring cost of living.

 

[Beast]

I'm sorry but the USSR was an artificial union of different nationalities that often had quarrels with each other (e.g. Russians vs Ukrainians). China is not an artificial union of nationalities ... the country has a bunch of ethnic minorities but all of them consider themselves to be Chinese. So the same force that drove the breakup of the USSR cannot apply to this scenario ... and let me remind you that China is not Communist anymore (economic and socio-wise).


Their problem with the Baloch minority is ten times worse than China's issue with the Uyghur minority.


Independence for Hong Kong is beyond a wet dream at this point. China could very easily block any overland supply routes and initiate a naval blockade. Hong Kong would wither within hours ... these people should make the most of their freedom before 2047 comes. How about these people worry about REAL issues ... like Hong Kong's ridiculous real estate prices and the soaring cost of living.

Precisely and we have delusion and ignorant Pakistanis comment about China internal problem. China is 93% hans while minorities is only less than 10% of China population.

Pakistan has Punjabi of slight more than 50% only and remaining of Pashtun. We do know the problem of Durand line problem inherit from British Raj with regards to Afghanistan. Pakistan has a bigger ethnic problem than China. If you go youtube, you can easily dig out many problem of prejudice of Punjabi against Pashtun. Name calling like dirty Pathan or many nonsense.

As I say Pakistan will first to go before China if it really happens

 

[Che palle]

Visited Hong Kong many times, nice place.

Not sure but I sort of got the vibe that locals there tend to dislike the mainlanders.

 

[Beast]

Visited Hong Kong many times, nice place.

Not sure but I sort of got the vibe that locals there tend to dislike the mainlanders.

That is on the ground look. Hong Konger need to get over the fact they are higher standard than mainlander. It is no more the 80s and 90s where China competitive is non exist. They need to know the reality of 2018 of rising China. HK people instead need to ride on this rising China rather than dwell on the lost ground to China edge.

 

[GHALIB]

That is on the ground look. Hong Konger need to get over the fact they are higher standard than mainlander. It is no more the 80s and 90s where China competitive is non exist. They need to know the reality of 2018 of rising China. HK people instead need to ride on this rising China rather than dwell on the lost ground to China edge.

right .

 

[Figaro]

Visited Hong Kong many times, nice place.

Not sure but I sort of got the vibe that locals there tend to dislike the mainlanders.

You're not wrong. Many Hong Kong or Singapore people think that since they were ruled by the British, they are of higher status than Mainlanders. Particularly true in the mid 90's or early 2000's.

 

[sweetgrape]

Visited Hong Kong many times, nice place.

Not sure but I sort of got the vibe that locals there tend to dislike the mainlanders.

had been colony of Britain for about 100 years, it can be understood that some HK don't like Mainlanders, but as time goes, we can get along well, at least, we all are Chinese, speak same language and write same character.

 

[GHALIB]

You're not wrong. Many Hong Kong or Singapore people think that since they were ruled by the British, they are of higher status than Mainlanders. Particularly true in the mid 90's or early 2000's.

now they should come down from highground .

 

[Jackdaws]

Don't blame the Honk Kong people. What's it about Chinese people and yearning for British rule? Such low self confidence.

 

[Mista]

That is on the ground look. Hong Konger need to get over the fact they are higher standard than mainlander. It is no more the 80s and 90s where China competitive is non exist. They need to know the reality of 2018 of rising China. HK people instead need to ride on this rising China rather than dwell on the lost ground to China edge.

I don't think that's the underlying reason.

Mainland China is viewed more favorably during the 2000s and they identify themselves more as a Chinese even though China is much poorer back then. In fact I remember a poll just a few years back which HKers feel that the mainland has been performing better than HK.

I think HK is unhappy towards their own government because of existing social problems festering for a long time, mainly housing and inequality, and they think changing government is the key solution. From their POV the political elites are colluding with the business elites to 'squeeze' the average HKer. However Beijing doesn't allow for universal suffrage and HKers feel helpless, thus they direct the anger towards the mainland.

People going to the streets in large numbers are often due to unhappiness over bread-and-butter issues. Lofty ideals such as democracy or freedom of speech doesn't resonate with the average man, unless they are linked to the bread-and-butter issues. If you had a job and a home to go back to, why would you want to go to the streets and risk it all?