July 1, the day comes every year.
But for Hong Kongers, the day has increasingly become an occasion to reflect on
what their protests have been so far - to think what they should do ahead.
Hong Kong was 'handed over' to
China on July 1, 1997 under a British-Chinese agreement that laid down certain conditions
for the city-state and former British colony. For Hong Kong, a 'one country two
systems' norm was set up and China promised to give the citizens universal
suffrage in a phased manner.
But that was just the story as it
was thought to be. The reality of the day is starkly different.
Since its takeover, Beijing has
been trying to impose the culture and the system of the mainland on this global
financial powerhouse. Chinese national anthem is being more and more used.
Sometimes, Beijing tries to introduce elements like altering textbooks. One of
the regular features is propping up and supporting pro-Beijing lobby of
politicians and pro-Beijing group of local Hong Kongers. And the most prominent
of Beijing's efforts is a panel of pro-Beijing politicians and its chief
executive officer that governs the administration in the city state.
Beijing has even tried to show
Hong Kong that the mainland can do better on the parameter Hong Kong has been known
globally for - the economic might with a global financial pull. Beijing tried
to do that with Shanghai and its stock market last year but failed in its
attempt.
Majority of the Hong Kongers, who
make the city-state population it but who are in minority in the ruling elite,
are worried of the designs Beijing is trying to impose.
Hong Kong always maintained a
culture of free speech and expression in an otherwise oppressive dictatorship
that China has been and is. Tiananmen massacre incident is a taboo subject in
China and many in the generation now see it just a political incident from country's
past. But Hong Kong has always maintained the spirit of June 4 Vigil every year
with remembrance march and associated events to commemorate the brutal crackdown
by Chinese leadership on students and political activists on June 4, 1989. Hong
Kong's Victoria Park echoes the global sentiments on this day, be it the
British rule or the Chinese autocracy.
Obviously, Beijing does not like
it. But it cannot openly do anything about it. So, the other way is to try and prop
up elements that support the Chinese viewpoint as is on the mainland. In spite
of its sociological problems around income distribution, Hong Kong is still a
financial powerhouse and an important global connect centre for the Chinese
economy. Beijing realizes it and cannot, therefore, impose itself forcefully on
Hong Kong.
So, even if it agreed to give
universal suffrage to the residents of Hong Kong, it came with the rider that
Beijing was going to be the ultimate holder of power. Hong Kongers are free to
elect their next leader (chief executive) in 2017 but they are not free to elect
'whom to elect' - that is what Beijing had proposed in the name of 'universal
suffrage' leading to 'more democratic rights'. The Beijing proposal that was
voted down on June 18 by pro-democracy legislators after an intense debate of
two days required Hong Kongers to elect their next chief executive from a panel
of three names 'shortlisted by Beijing'.
Now that the proposal is struck
down by the pro-democracy groups, the old mechanism of electing the next chief
executive would be followed in 2017 - sans any pseudo-democratic assurance. A
pro-Beijing electoral college of few will install someone who will be no more
than a Beijing puppet, the case now. And that would be without any spectacle of
'democracy'. And it is routine business for Beijing administrators in China.
They have been far more ruthless in crushing dissent on the mainland.
When the pro-democracy protesters
were gathering for their march on July 1 'handover' day last year, they were
talking about the way ahead on pressurizing Beijing for a 'true democratic'
proposal. The mood on that day was optimistic and resilient about fighting
ahead as the Beijing's proposal was still not in.
Beijing did what it had to do.
Hundreds of thousands took to the street to oppose the 'autocratic proposal' in
the garb of democracy'. Protests, that were named Umbrella Revolution, raged
for months. The civil disobedience nature had few incidents of minor violence.
But, as expected, Beijing did not relent.
This year, on July 1, the mood is
driven by the developments since then. With the so called 'democracy proposal'
by Beijing struck down, the political deadlock is in the air. Protester are
very clear now that Beijing will not relent, not in the near term and their
'struggle for democracy' needs to go back to the drawing board at the thought
level to decide on what they have to do ahead. The multitude of such thoughts,
reflecting on the developments so far, will come with a spontaneous response
ahead. The world is sure of that.
The world is sure of Hong Kong's resilience
to withstand the Chinese pressure. The world is sure of the culture of free
speech and expression that has made June 4 Vigil and July 1 Handover Day march regular
features of Hong Kong's social fabric. The world believes in them. The
protesters should have confidence in themselves.
Here are some of the photographs
from today's march:
Image courtesy: Alex Ogle - The Telegraph
Image courtesy: Anthony Kwan - Getty Images
Image courtesy: AP
Image courtesy: Isaac Lawrence - AFP - Getty Images
Image courtesy: Bobby Yip - Reuters
Image courtesy: Liau Chung Ren - Reuters
Image courtesy: Tyrone Siu - Reuters
