Hong Kong politics (Political)
Hong Kong politics
Article Title: “A court in Hong Kong disbars two legislators” November 19, 2016 Author: Editor in The Economist Place: Hong Kong |
Issue overview and spatial Significance:
On October 12, two young politicians, Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching, from a political party called Youngspiration, acted controversy when they take their oaths in Hong Kong. They referred to China in a derogatory way and displayed banners saying that “Hong Kong is not China. The High Court ruled on November 15th that Mr Leung and Ms Yau were unfit to take up their posts in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Their action were considered as disgraceful behaviours, and had offended a lot of people in China. In a short time, they managed to gain high attention from the globe, provoked the interpretation of Basic Law from the Chinese government, and incited a social unrest in Hong Kong. This is significant because some view this issue as China interfering Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, trying to gain control over it.
On October 12, two young politicians, Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching, from a political party called Youngspiration, acted controversy when they take their oaths in Hong Kong. They referred to China in a derogatory way and displayed banners saying that “Hong Kong is not China. The High Court ruled on November 15th that Mr Leung and Ms Yau were unfit to take up their posts in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Their action were considered as disgraceful behaviours, and had offended a lot of people in China. In a short time, they managed to gain high attention from the globe, provoked the interpretation of Basic Law from the Chinese government, and incited a social unrest in Hong Kong. This is significant because some view this issue as China interfering Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, trying to gain control over it.
Patterns and trends:
Since the handover in July 1, 1997, Hong Kong has reverted back to Chinese territory after a century’s British rule. The Chinese government has promised Hong Kong “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”, and “High degree of autonomy and democracy” according to the Basic Law. Socialism is practised in China, while capitalism in is practised in Hong Kong, as it was once a colony of British. These are important core values of Hong Kong. There has been dispute since the handover. The Hong Kong citizens fear the Chinese government would interfere the rights and freedoms that they enjoyed since the British rule. A large scale annual protest started in 2003 when the government proposed the legislation of Basic Law Article 23. People fear they may lose their freedom of speech. In 2003, around 500,000 protester walked on street to express their opinion. It was the largest protest at that time. There was a huge protest of implementing moral and national education in primary school by parents and students in 2012, they scared that the vulnerable children will be brainwashed by the Chinese government. The Civil disobedient movement happened in 2014 aimed to fight for the universal suffrage, they hoped the election of the chief executive could be transparent and voted by the citizens. The untrusting attitude towards the Chinese government is rooted in the citizen’s heart. There are more examples where the oath taking process were controversial. For instance Dr. Lau Siu Lai, a pan-democrat had used 33 days to finish her oath in order to protest the left wings. She has her own political views that does not agree with the one of the mainland China.
Since the handover in July 1, 1997, Hong Kong has reverted back to Chinese territory after a century’s British rule. The Chinese government has promised Hong Kong “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”, and “High degree of autonomy and democracy” according to the Basic Law. Socialism is practised in China, while capitalism in is practised in Hong Kong, as it was once a colony of British. These are important core values of Hong Kong. There has been dispute since the handover. The Hong Kong citizens fear the Chinese government would interfere the rights and freedoms that they enjoyed since the British rule. A large scale annual protest started in 2003 when the government proposed the legislation of Basic Law Article 23. People fear they may lose their freedom of speech. In 2003, around 500,000 protester walked on street to express their opinion. It was the largest protest at that time. There was a huge protest of implementing moral and national education in primary school by parents and students in 2012, they scared that the vulnerable children will be brainwashed by the Chinese government. The Civil disobedient movement happened in 2014 aimed to fight for the universal suffrage, they hoped the election of the chief executive could be transparent and voted by the citizens. The untrusting attitude towards the Chinese government is rooted in the citizen’s heart. There are more examples where the oath taking process were controversial. For instance Dr. Lau Siu Lai, a pan-democrat had used 33 days to finish her oath in order to protest the left wings. She has her own political views that does not agree with the one of the mainland China.
Geographic Perspectives and Interrelationships:
Social: In average, the level of development and education between Hong Kong and mainland China is different. The difference in ideology and government practice also incited hatred against each other. This ongoing discrimination of mainland people in Hong Kong has created many social unrest and conflicts. Many young people claimed “love the country does not mean love Hong Kong.”Meaning they love Hong Kong, but that does not infer they love the country. The two young politicians wish to express their political standpoint in a way that they can get more attention.
Political: This is also a mean of the teens to gain political power. Since the protests about moral and national education, the young people have a voice in politics, leading by Joshua Wong. These teens are often pan-democratic and like to criticize the government.
Economic: The hostile relationship between the two regions may lead to an economic recession in Hong Kong. Hong Kong relies heavily on the tertiary industry, which is the services industry. This incident may reduce the number of tourists from China, hence reduce the retail sales and damage HK economy.
Social: In average, the level of development and education between Hong Kong and mainland China is different. The difference in ideology and government practice also incited hatred against each other. This ongoing discrimination of mainland people in Hong Kong has created many social unrest and conflicts. Many young people claimed “love the country does not mean love Hong Kong.”Meaning they love Hong Kong, but that does not infer they love the country. The two young politicians wish to express their political standpoint in a way that they can get more attention.
Political: This is also a mean of the teens to gain political power. Since the protests about moral and national education, the young people have a voice in politics, leading by Joshua Wong. These teens are often pan-democratic and like to criticize the government.
Economic: The hostile relationship between the two regions may lead to an economic recession in Hong Kong. Hong Kong relies heavily on the tertiary industry, which is the services industry. This incident may reduce the number of tourists from China, hence reduce the retail sales and damage HK economy.
Key Stakeholders:
The Hong Kong government -The local government had turn the case to the High Court, giving the two legislators-elect no second chance. The judge who were responsible for this case declared Mr Leung and Ms Yau had not acted “faithfully and truthfully”, therefore had forfeited their seats. The Hong Kong government does not support and will not stand separatist.
The Chinese government - The Chinese government is very concerned about this issue as it is about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Not only over Hong Kong, but also in other parts of China, there are radicals advocating separatism. The central government had no choice but to take the initiative to reiterate its stance over the issue of separatism. On November 7, National People’s Congress Standing Committee stepped in to interpret Article 104 of the Basic Law, asserting the mandatory requirement of pledging allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China and upholding the Basic Law. (South China Morning Post, 2016) It has made its position clear that China does not tolerate any form of denial of Hong Kong as a part of China.
The two young politicians - Their career as members of Legco, ended just 12 days after they began They use the oath as a way to express their political standpoint, and they had expected the removal of their position; however they are planning to appeal their case.
The Hong Kong government -The local government had turn the case to the High Court, giving the two legislators-elect no second chance. The judge who were responsible for this case declared Mr Leung and Ms Yau had not acted “faithfully and truthfully”, therefore had forfeited their seats. The Hong Kong government does not support and will not stand separatist.
The Chinese government - The Chinese government is very concerned about this issue as it is about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Not only over Hong Kong, but also in other parts of China, there are radicals advocating separatism. The central government had no choice but to take the initiative to reiterate its stance over the issue of separatism. On November 7, National People’s Congress Standing Committee stepped in to interpret Article 104 of the Basic Law, asserting the mandatory requirement of pledging allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China and upholding the Basic Law. (South China Morning Post, 2016) It has made its position clear that China does not tolerate any form of denial of Hong Kong as a part of China.
The two young politicians - Their career as members of Legco, ended just 12 days after they began They use the oath as a way to express their political standpoint, and they had expected the removal of their position; however they are planning to appeal their case.
Issue Implications:
Social: This incident had incited protest from both sides, the pro-democracy and the pro-Beijing. One side argues that this is a form of suppression from the central government to the Hong Kong people, the other side argues that the two are representatives of the separationist, which means they think Hong Kong should separate from China. Separationism had been condemned for further destroying the relationship between Hong Kong and China, and propose unrealistic thoughts. This is dangerous yet blooming ideology in Hong Kong, especially among the younger generation. The discoherent in Hong Kong society grows.
Political: The legislative council sessions had faced disruptions. It failed to be convened for lack of a quorum at once, and there were a mini conflict when Mr Leung and Ms Yau tried to storm in and retake the oath by themselves in the Legislative Council several times. In addition, ten other pro-democracy lawmakers, including Hon. Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, and Dr. Lau Siu-lai now face similar appeals in the High Court. The legality of their oath are challenged. These have been filed by ordinary citizens like a member from the taxi driver’s Union, some with the backing of pro-Beijing groups. In retaliation, a democrat even filed a case against the chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, who inadvertently mumbled his lines at his sworn in back in 2012.
Social: This incident had incited protest from both sides, the pro-democracy and the pro-Beijing. One side argues that this is a form of suppression from the central government to the Hong Kong people, the other side argues that the two are representatives of the separationist, which means they think Hong Kong should separate from China. Separationism had been condemned for further destroying the relationship between Hong Kong and China, and propose unrealistic thoughts. This is dangerous yet blooming ideology in Hong Kong, especially among the younger generation. The discoherent in Hong Kong society grows.
Political: The legislative council sessions had faced disruptions. It failed to be convened for lack of a quorum at once, and there were a mini conflict when Mr Leung and Ms Yau tried to storm in and retake the oath by themselves in the Legislative Council several times. In addition, ten other pro-democracy lawmakers, including Hon. Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, and Dr. Lau Siu-lai now face similar appeals in the High Court. The legality of their oath are challenged. These have been filed by ordinary citizens like a member from the taxi driver’s Union, some with the backing of pro-Beijing groups. In retaliation, a democrat even filed a case against the chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, who inadvertently mumbled his lines at his sworn in back in 2012.
Citation:
South China Morning Post (2016, Nov 15). “A lesson for Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching: double standards and hypocrisy don’t win respect”. South China Morning Post retrieved Dec 8 from http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2046079/lesson-sixtus-leung-and-yau-wai-ching-double-standards-and
South China Morning Post (2016, Nov 15). “A lesson for Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching: double standards and hypocrisy don’t win respect”. South China Morning Post retrieved Dec 8 from http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2046079/lesson-sixtus-leung-and-yau-wai-ching-double-standards-and