Hong Kong at an impasse with no way out
Re: "New China facing first major test of credentials", Letters, October 1.
John Patterson wrote an interesting letter, but perhaps he did not define the gravity of the fundamental challenge China is facing from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, even under British control, was not a self-contained democracy. When China acceded to power in Hong Kong in 1997, it promised the former leasehold colony the right to self-governing democracy. It has repeatedly reneged on this assurance, though it conceded to elections provided that it chooses the candidates. China has resorted to the same old trick we have seen in totalitarian states around the world, including Thailand. Its intention is clearly to palm off the calls for democracy by offering the right to vote. Beijing’s problem is that the people of Hong Kong understand democracy.
Martin Lee, president of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party and a leader of the current protests, has made it perfectly clear that this offer of the vote is not democracy and therefore unacceptable. The imposition of candidates chosen by China would similarly be out of the question. He is fighting for true democracy and will not be placated with the right to vote. He has made it clear that his objective is to establish a system of laws to ensure people’s freedom and an independent judiciary.
The 76-year-old Lee is not the naïve, easily appeased protester China might wish for. Democracy and totalitarianism are diametrically opposed. There can be no compromise through even minor concessions. Hong Kong has to be one or the other. Allowing Hong Kong true democracy would be a direct threat to all that China stands for, and much worse, the idea could spread across the land and even beyond.
The Beijing regime cannot afford to initiate its own demise. Hong Kong wants democracy. Therein lies an impasse without solution.
JC Wilcox
