Protests in Hong Kong

[Beet]

Have they backed off on universal suffrage for Chief Executive in 2017? I don't see it anywhere.

[Beet]

No problem... most see the universal suffrage language as pretty useless with pre-selected pro-Beijing candidates anyway. With the current plan so unpopular in Hong Kong I wouldn't be surprised if it's not accepted.

[Beet]

Well for one thing, they agreed with the U.K. to guarantee Hong Kong's current social and economic system for at least 50 years as a condition of the handover. Up to now they have never had any reason to go back on that pledge; Hong Kong's special status has not cost them anything, and it has numerous advantages. For one, up until now the people of Hong Kong have been relatively happy with things. Two, it is useful to have a beacon of freedom within China that does not challenge the government's power; it is hard to imagine Edward Snowden fleeing to Shanghai, for instance. Three, China needs to court Taiwan's population to move towards the goal of eventual reunification, and "one country, two systems" has been proposed for Taiwan. Of course, if China ever saw a true threat to its power in Hong Kong, it would move in. That is why the Hong Kong protestors should be careful.