2020-11-11

Although Hong Kong is officially part of China, it has its own particular system of government that is different from China’s.  For 150 years, Hong Kong had been a British colony.  In 1997, it was returned to Chinese rule, but there were certain agreements in place that would allow it to maintain its own laws.  This arrangement has been known as, “one country, two systems.”

The people of Hong Kong have enjoyed more civil liberties than those living in the rest of China.  In fact, people who felt scared to express themselves in China, felt safe to do so in Hong Kong.  But over the years, Hong Kongers have become wary of threats to those liberties by the Chinese government in Beijing.  In 2019, thousands of protesters took to the streets when it looked like certain laws could be put into effect that would restrict the civil rights of Hong Kong residents.  After weeks of demonstrations and some violence, China’s proposals were scrapped.  But protests continued, as people in Hong Kong made more demands for safeguards on their freedoms.  

On Wednesday, four pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong, who had been elected to their positions, were kicked out by the Chinese government.  With this move, Beijing signaled its intention to allow only people who were in agreement with its positions to stay in power in Hong Kong.  Following the ouster, fifteen other pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong voluntarily stepped down from their positions, to show their support for the four who had been forced out.

Struggles continue in Hong Kong, as Beijing pursues widening control of the region and Hong Kongers continue to protest what they view as an ever-increasing trampling of their civil liberties.