HongKong

Inside the Hong Kong Protests

September 4, 2019 by GregC

Listen to “Inside the Hong Kong Protests” on Spreaker.

On Wednesday, the China-backed leader of Hong Kong announced she is withdrawing the legislation that sparked massive ongoing protests, but a leading Asia expert says that will do nothing to quell other demands of the millions of people taking to the streets.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced she is officially withdrawing legislation that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be extradited to mainland China. Had she done that in April, it may have been enough to satisfy critics, but months of intransigence and increased police crackdowns on protesters soured relations exponentially.

Demonstrators now want a full investigation into the actions of police. They want all incarcerated protesters released and they want to have universal suffrage to elect their own chief executive and lawmakers.

Asia policy expert Gordon Chang is author of “The Coming Collapse of China.” He is in Hong Kong and took to the streets with demonstrators after Lam’s announcement.

Listen to the podcast to hear how Hong Kong residents reacted to the withdrawal of the extradition legislation and how they view this battle for their freedom. Chang also explains why China may have relented on the extradition issue now and why the ongoing protests present a more difficult challenge for Beijing than many realize. He also reveals why the protesters are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Hong Kong Protests: ‘This Is Their Last Stand for Autonomy’

August 14, 2019 by GregC

Listen to “Hong Kong Protests: ‘This Is Their Last Stand for Autonomy'” on Spreaker.

Tensions in Hong Kong remain very high as huge numbers of residents there continue pro-democracy protests aimed at keeping the communist Chinese regime at arm’s length and forces loyal to the Chinese government take stronger action to put down the protests.

A leading expert on China policy says the showdown is critically important and that President Trump must do much more to support those demanding their freedom.

The demonstrations began in June in fierce opposition to a proposed law in the Hong Kong legislature that would make extradition to mainland China much easier. With more than a million people in the streets, officials shelved the legislation. But protesters want it permanently withdrawn and more power in determining their government among other demands.

“People in Hong Kong, and not just the pro-democracy kids on the streets but also a very large segment of the Hong Kong population, just believe this is their last stand for autonomy,” said Gordon Chang, a China expert and author of “The Coming Collapse of China.”

Peaceful protests have turned more confrontational lately, both in the streets and this week at an airport sit-in. Chang admits some of the demonstrators have gotten more rowdy but he sees something out of place with the Hong Kong police as well.

“I don’t think they’re answering to the Hong Kong commissioner of police. I think that essentially we’re seeing Beijing dictate what’s going on,” said Chang.

Chang says YouTube videos show supposed Hong Kong police officers unable to speak the native Cantonese language or present their police identification. Another shows an officer oddly addressing fellow officers as “comrades” and another showing an officer alternately speaking Cantonese and Mandarin, which is highly unusual he says.

And as China appears to be taking a hard line on the protesters, President Trump appears to be going very soft on China, at least for now.

“The Hong Kong thing is a very tough situation, very tough. We’ll what see what happens. But I’m sure it’ll work out. I hope it works out for everybody, including China, by the way,” said Trump on Tuesday.

“He’s also said things like, ‘This is a matter between Hong Kong and China.’ That is uninspiring and completely inadequate,” said Chang.

Listen to the full podcast to hear Chang discuss how China is likely to act as the protests continue, why he believes this crisis matters a lot to the United States, and what the proper U.S. position should be right now.

High Tension in Hong Kong

June 12, 2019 by GregC

Listen to “High Tension in Hong Kong” on Spreaker.

More than a million people flooded the streets of Hong Kong on multiple occasions this week in an effort to derail legislation that opponents believe is the last chance to save the business hub from the clutches of the communist Chinese regime in Beijing.

Wednesday’s protests turned violent as local authorities lashed out at the demonstrators who succeeded in delaying a vote on extradition legislation.

“The Hong Kong government, at the prodding of Beijing, has proposed an extradition bill which would allow China to take people off the streets of Hong Kong in effect,” said Gordon Chang, an East Asia policy expert and author of “The Coming Collapse of China.”

“Hong Kong right now has extradition agreements with twenty nations, not including China. The extradition bill would broaden that and that would give Beijing the ability really to bring Hong Kong to heel. As Hong Kong democrats say, this is the last stand of the city,” added Chang.

Listen to the full podcast to hear Chang explain what Hong Kong will look like in the coming years if the extradition bill becomes law and which very powerful ally protesters have on their side.