Photo:
EPA
Elections
this weekend for the semi-democratic Legislative Council (Legco) have
become a quasi-referendum over the territory’s future. Since China
decreed in 2014 that it would approve candidates to be the next chief
executive, who was supposed to be elected in 2017 under universal
suffrage, the territory has been convulsed. Many feel the mainland
authorities’ promises of autonomy for the former British colony have
been torn up. A “localism” movement has emerged, supported by growing
numbers of young people, which seeks real autonomy—or even
independence—crossing a red line in Beijing. The election commission
demanded Legco candidates swear loyalty to the Chinese government and
disqualified candidates who refused, or whose oaths it did not believe.
How Hong Kongers see themselves has changed profoundly. China’s
Communists say the solution is “patriotic” education. Lines are
hardening in Hong Kong, where the current, Communist-friendly chief
executive, Leung Chun-ying, remains loathed by nearly everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment