The United States believes Beijing has too much influence in Hong Kong and has threatened to cease recognition of the special administrative zone’s autonomous status, with potentially far-reaching consequences.

US: Hong Kong No Longer Has a ‘High Degree of Autonomy’

The US decided on Wednesday that Hong Kong no longer had a “high degree of autonomy.” The statement came in response to new security laws for Hong Kong that China announced last week and approved this Thursday at the end of its National People’s Congress. It arguably marks the end of individual rights for the Chinese special administrative region.

China’s Premier Li Keqiang defended China’s decision on Thursday. The law served the “constant implementation” of the “one country, two systems” principle and ensured “long-term stability and prosperity” in Hong Kong.

The 1992 US-Hong Kong Act allowed Washington to treat Hong Kong as fully autonomous in trade and economic matters even after Britain returned it to China in 1997. Hong Kong is currently exempt from US punitive tariffs on China and, unlike China, still allowed to import certain sensitive technologies.

However, these exceptions are subject to the condition that Hong Kong can act autonomously from China. It seems apparent that Washington no longer considers Hong Kong autonomous. Accordingly, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that no reasonable person could claim that Hong Kong had maintained a high degree of autonomy vis-à-vis China given the facts.

Range of Options for Cancelling Hong Kong’s Special Status

Withdrawing autonomy status would provide the United States with various options. One of these are sanctions against Chinese officials, such as visa restrictions or asset freezes in the United States. A much more severe option is to withdraw Hong Kong’s special trading status, which is currently still treated independently of China under commercial law. If the US government denied Hong Kong this special status, Hong Kong would be affected by the same rules that apply to mainland China, which would be a hard blow to the Hong Kong economy. Which option the US will utilize is with President Trump. The latter had already announced that “something would be done” in the next days.

China Says it Will Take ‘Necessary Countermeasures’

The Chinese embassy in Washington, meanwhile, said in a statement on Wednesday that China’s new Hong Kong legislation targets a “very narrow category of actions that pose a serious threat to national security” and “do not affect Hong Kong’s high level of autonomy, rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents or have the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong.” However, the embassy also stated that China was inclined to take “necessary countermeasures” to any US action.

Hong Kong Prime Minister Carrie Lam also defends the national security law, saying that it was “totally unacceptable” for foreign lawmakers to interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs. Sanctions would only further complicate the situation in the city, Lam said.

Chinese Media Slams American ‘Troublemakers’

In mainland China, the US’ decision was heavily criticized in the Chinese state media. On Thursday night, state-run news agency Xinhua Washington accused the US of conspiring with the “troublemakers” in Hong Kong. Moreover, Washington politicians were “selectively blind” and only interested in “accusing, attacking and slandering China” while supporting Hong Kong and the powers behind it. The latter was precisely the reason why national security legislation was necessary.

There is no question that the security law passed by the National People’s Congress will significantly increase the rights of the Chinese central government to intervene in Hong Kong and Macau, and thus further exacerbating the tense situation. Even more: undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy has the potential to affect trust in the Hong Kong as an international economic hub noticeably and for years to come, while China runs the risk of further jeopardizing its international credibility.

Hong Kong used to be under British rule from 1841 to 1997, apart from a brief period under Japanese occupation during World War II. Britain eventually agreed to transfer the entire colony to China in 1997 after obtaining guarantees that Hong Kong’s system, its freedoms, and way of life would be preserved for at least five decades.

L'articolo The US and Hong Kong’s Special Status proviene da InsideOver.

Popularly known as a dream destination for the business community and foreign investment, Hong Kong is one of the world’s most important financial and trading hubs. Currently, however, Hong Kong is facing its worst economic crisis since China took control of it in 1997. Months of violent anti-government protests, the US-China trade war, and the coronavirus outbreak have deteriorated Hong Kong’s economic outlook. In fact, Hong Kong’s economy shrank by 2.9 percent in October and December 2019.

“Pro-democracy protests and violence during the quarter affected economic sentiment as well as consumption- and tourism-related activities,” a government spokesperson said in a statement.

2019 Is Hong Kong’s Worst Economic Year In A Decade

The year 2019 was the worst for Hong Kong’s growth since 2009, as the global financial crash severely hit the commercial hub. The coronavirus menace is likely to compound the economic situation further. Tourism, which is a significant contributor to the Hong Kong economy, is expected to take a beating, as Hong Kong’s government takes measures to bar visitors from China.

According to experts, the slowdown in the economy will give strength to the pro-democracy movement, as they will paint it as a failure of the administration.

Hong Kong At Risk Of Brain Drain And Major Capital Outflow

Hong Kong is China’s prominent international business hub. It is an indispensable gateway for foreign funds to China. Hong Kong’s investments and financial transactions are facilitated throughout the world. In fact, the majority of direct investments in and out of China are transacted through Hong Kong. A lack of clear regulations and capital controls makes it much easier for investors to channel funds to or from China through Hong Kong.

The protests have already severely impacted the economy. The turmoil is keeping away business travelers and tourists, resulting in the first recession in 10 years. As per the Hong Kong government data, 1,530 multinational companies had established regional headquarters in the town in 2018. Of these, 290 were American companies. That’s been changing with evolving dynamics in global trade. More and more international businesses are opting to move their headquarters to China as its economic power has grown.

Protests Have Hurt Hong Kong’s Businesses And Job Market

Continuing protests have placed Hong Kong at risk of a loss of talent and a long-term outflow of capital, which are the two key ingredients to its economic success. The number of companies leaving Hong Kong, though currently minuscule⁠, may grow⁠ significantly if conditions do not improve—and with an exit of businesses there will also be an emigration of high-paying jobs.

Analysts are forecasting an even worse first quarter in 2020 for Hong Kong. If the protests continue disrupting the life of the city unabated it will undoubtedly affect Hong Kong’s status as an international business destination for companies seeking to do business in China or the region. Multinationals might move their operations and capital to places like Singapore and the economic outlook could become even worse. Much remains to be seen, but with protesters having a self-interest in portraying economic downturn as a result of poor government, Hong Kong’s future is concerning and the protests may well continue.

L'articolo Hong Kong’s Recession: A Shot in the Arm For Protesters proviene da InsideOver.

US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien recently expressed his confidence that America and China can end their 16-month trade war by the end of the year, but he said the situation in Hong Kong could be an obstacle to signing a trade agreement. The escalating violence and protests in the former British colony begs the question as to whether US President Donald Trump has got his priorities right in protecting the island from Chinese oppression whilst many factories in the rust-belt states he needs to win in 2020 to continue to be affected by his trade policies.

The Chinese Government has responded to the new Hong Kong Human Rights and Democratic Act (HKHRDA) by suspending US warship visits and they have sanctioned several American non-government organisations. This act requires the US President to annually review the city’s favourable trade status and threatens to revoke it if the semi-autonomous territory’s liberties are curtailed. Michael Raska, a security researcher at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, told the AFP news agency it sends a signal that US-China tensions will continue to deepen.

Instead of protecting Hong Kong, the HKHRDA could hurt the Chinese territory’s economic prospects and businesses that operate there. Because of its special status, Hong Kong is exempt from certain tariffs that the US has applied to China. But the revocation has to come from Trump through an executive order, or Congress, via the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, which clarifies Washington’s special treatment of the city.

Analysts in Washington said the law is unlikely to go so far as to revoke the city’s special status, given the economic stake the US has in Hong Kong. Over 85,000 American citizens live there, and nearly 1,400 American businesses operate there. The US trade surplus in Hong Kong was worth $32.6 billion in 2017. Washington’s economic stakes in the former British colony are significant.

As the Brookings Institute argues, America has a powerful incentive to support attempts to preserve Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. The use of violence by either side thwarts American interests. Beijing is under pressure to allow Hong Kong’s citizens to exercise their political freedoms peacefully, which is why tighter political controls will be counter-productive if the Chinese Government is serious about quelling these protests.

The US is right to defend American values against China. No matter what Washington does, the Chinese Government will accuse them of interference either way. But considering America protects the right to free speech and peaceful political protest, the world’s largest democracy has a duty to defend countries where these rights are being prohibited.

Equally, this situation needs to be resolved quickly before the trade war continues to damage America’s manufacturing base. According to the ISM’s index of US manufacturing, industrial activity in many of the rust-belt states Trump needs to win in 2020 has stagnated for the past three months. In Michigan, where the President prevailed over Hillary Clinton by 10,704 votes, manufacturing jobs dropped by 4.2 per cent in October. The Financial Times suggests the escalating US-China trade war is one of the key reasons for this.

Furthermore, employment levels in primary metals production made solid gains last year, but have fallen this year.

US Steel itself made a $700 million investment in an Arkansas steel plant that is more technologically advanced than its existing facilities, but analysts say the sector’s difficulties are apparent.

It is Trump’s responsibility to resolve the situation in Hong Kong quickly. The US must protect territories whose freedoms are being prohibited. A quick resolution to this crisis will result in Beijing and Washington being able to conclude a trade deal. But the President should hope this situation does not linger into 2020 because if it does, it could hurt his support in many of the key states he needs to win again next year.

L'articolo Has Trump Got his Priorities Right With a US-China Trade Deal? proviene da InsideOver.

The clean sweep by pro-democracy candidates in the recently concluded district council elections against the backdrop of prolonged street agitation by Hong Kongers may be termed as a victory of democracy in Hong Kong. But China thinks otherwise. Hong Kongers may rejoice on the triumph of pro-democracy candidates, but will this success pave the way for greater democracy for Hong Kongers or force China to stiffen its stand is a question, reply to which is being eagerly awaited by the industrial and political communities across the globe. Pro-democratic candidates’ victory has angered the Chinese government, and it is apparent by the Communist Party newspaper, The People’s Daily’s stand that the triumph is foreign powers’ conspiracy.

Echoing the government’s stand, China Daily in an editorial said that young agitators sabotaged the campaign of pro-establishment candidates and threatened their supporters from exercising their franchise. The newspaper termed the results as a setback for Hong Kong’s democratic development. But the protestors are adamant and unwilling to back off until their demands are met – demands include an independent inquiry into police’s high-handedness, a general amnesty for arrested protesters, revocation of the classification of the protesters as “rioters”, and complete universal suffrage. Protesters are also demanding the resignation of Lam as chief executive.

Beijing and the Hong Kong governments, however, are reluctant to give in to the demands. Geng Shuang, a foreign ministry spokesman at a scheduled press conference, said, “Hong Kong affairs are purely domestic affairs as it is part of China. We are in support of ‘one country, two systems’ principle and are against foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs,” Geng added. Xi has reportedly said that any attempt to divide China would end with “bodies smashed and bones ground to powder.”

The US President Donald Trump’s ratification of the Human Rights and Democracy Act authorizes sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights abuses. The Act also bans US-made crowd control weapons’ export to Hong Kong police, and all these have given reasons to protesters to rejoice, but China is furious. The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement says, “The US has been denying facts and distorting the truth. It is backing criminals who are engaged in violent activities, smashing facilities, setting the fire, assaulting innocent civilians, breaking the rule of law, and jeopardized social order.”

Uncertainty Looms for Hong Kong

China is in no mood to allow Hong Kong too much autonomy when it questioned local courts’ right to declare laws unconstitutional if they flout the Basic Law or Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. The Chinese action was prompted by the Hong Kong court’s decision to strike down a controversial anti-mask law that was forcefully pushed by Chinese officials. From Beijing’s point of view, a disruptive Hong Kong presents a severe threat of the unrest spreading to the mainland. Military intervention in Hong Kong would prove to be “too costly” for China and would spell doom for free-wheeling Hong Kong.

The protest is unlikely to fizzle out even if Beijing shows restraint towards Hong Kong due to the massive resentment towards the elite government class that dominates the economy and the Hong Kong police force.

In light of China’s crackdown in Xinjiang and Tibet, it seems the international community, including the United States, Britain, and others, have limited scope to support the protest movement in the long run. China may not have an answer to the current imbroglio, but history stands testimonial to the fact that China is a hard nut to crack and will not buckle under pressure.

L'articolo Is Pro-Democratic Candidates’ Victory in Hong Kong A True Victory of Democracy? proviene da InsideOver.

The previous week, Congress passed a bill aimed at strengthening human rights and democracy in Hong Kong. China urged President Trump to veto to the bill – to no avail. Now, one week later, Trump has signed the bill into law, despite China’s treats of “harsh countermeasures”.

So far, Trump had hitherto held back criticism of China’s crackdown on the democracy movement in Hong Kong as he continues to negotiate with Beijing in the one-and-a-half-year trade war. It is the reason he had been reluctant to sign the bill at first. The decision made now is unlikely to increase the bilateral relations any time soon.

Nonetheless, Trump had no choice but to sign the bill. If he had vetoed it, Senate, as well as the House, would have overridden his veto via a two-thirds majority – leaving the President embarrassed and seemingly outnumbered by his own party. After all, Congress had voted on Hong Kong’s “Human Rights and Democracy Decree” despite fierce protests and threats from Beijing with only one vote against in the House of Representatives.

Inter alia, the law threatens economic sanctions that could deprive Hong Kong of its preferential treatment of US economic and trade policies with China. For this purpose, annual reports from the State Department to the Congress are planned as to whether Hong Kong is still sufficiently autonomous from China to further justify its preferential treatment. Civil rights will be given special consideration in the law. Moreover, the law provides for the President to impose sanctions on individuals held responsible for serious human rights violations in Hong Kong. President Trump summed up the bill as a plan for China and Hong Kong to “settle their differences amicably to achieve lasting peace and prosperity for all.”

A caveat remains, however, as the administration will treat parts of the laws differentiated, so it will not undermine the constitutional authority of Trump on foreign policy issues, according to the White House. Details and what this entailed have not been disclosed yet.

Beijing’s response has been rather direct. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the bill in favor of “tacitly violent criminals”. It was an open intervention in China’s internal affairs, intending to throw Hong Kong further into chaos or even destroying it.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was equally critical and stated that “facts were neglected in the bill”, while also accusing Washington of interference and violation of international law.

A Beijing State Department spokesman criticized Washington for “blatantly supporting violent criminals who trampled on the rule of law and endangered the social order.” The United States’ actions, which he also labeled as a “conspiracy” were a testimony of America’s “hegemonic nature”. The Chinese government was unwavering in its resistance to interference by foreign forces in Hong Kong. “We advise the US not to act arbitrarily, otherwise China will take decisive action and all consequences must be borne by the US.”

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing stated that Deputy Foreign Minister Le Yucheng had summoned US Ambassador Branstad to demand an immediate end to “such policies and further damage to bilateral relations”.

The protests in Hong Kong are increasingly exacerbating tensions between the US and China. Relations have been tensed for months due to the trade dispute. Both countries have penalized each other with tariffs worth billions of Dollars.

According to Trump the talks on a trade agreement were in the final stages. For now, Beijing will beg to differ.

L'articolo Trump Signs Hong Kong Bill While Tensions with China Increase proviene da InsideOver.

Protests across the globe are growing at a worrisome rate. The right to fight for your beliefs and rights has now become a turning point worldwide where the ordinary citizen is eager to get what it deserves. Protests in Hong Kong have wreaked havoc. Lebanon has also seen its fair share of demonstrations over the course of the last few weeks. Catalonians are forcing the Spanish government to give in to their demands. Where some protests may focus on the removal of the government for its policies, in other places, protests have poured in due to economic collapses. At this point in time, we are seeing enraged citizens crying, fighting and even dying for what they believe in. Lebanon and Iraq are seeing locals pour onto the streets due to the government’s failure to provide them with basic services and they’re all demanding the removal of the political elite. Broken promises, ineffective policies and a future with no success in sight will only result in the outburst of anger unless concrete changes are made.

Turning our focus from the Asian continent, thousands of kilometres away in South America, a similar picture is being painted. Violent demonstrations in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador have forced international observers to highlight what the problems are. Whenever protests arise, there are many things that need to be discussed. There’s always an underlying issue which is the root of the problem. At times, it may be the government taking certain decisions that may collide with the interests of its people. Sometimes, external factors may also play a huge role. However, the main idea is the lack of facilitation on part of the government. The South American continent has seen just that.

In Bolivia, where President Evo Morales successfully ruled for three terms, saw the end of his rule after weeks-long protests. Morales thought he could get the better of his people but his rush towards securing a fourth term ended in misery after he bowed down to military pressure. What Morales did was try to cover up an election which had failed. He claimed victory before the election could go to a second-round runoff. Morales, the country’s first indigenous President can be credited with bringing more representation to his people, unfolding an economic boom for the country and curbing inflation. We must agree that he brought a change in the living standards of many Bolivians but what really brought the nation to the edge started in 2016. The president at the time tried to abolish presidential limits which signalled his move towards authoritarianism. Morales’ opposition right-wing Carlos Mela asked supporters to take to the streets to deny Morales victory and thus protests began where at least three people were killed and hundreds others injured. In Bolivia, people stood up to make sure they were guaranteed the necessary changes.

Moving to Chile, a country famous for its natural resources, especially copper. It all began when the government decided to increase the fares of public transportation. This initiated a violent order of protests on October 18, where thousands stepped on the streets to not only ask the government to repeal the changes but to also demand for better social services. Chileans are demanding better education, the reduction in income inequality and access to better healthcare. Protesters in the country say that the neoliberal economic model gives more priority to the rich who are able to afford better private education and healthcare, leaving the poor at the edge of crisis. The protests also forced the cancellation of two major international summits which came as a huge blow to the country which has not seen such protests in a long time. They are now asking for the replacement of a constitutional charter which was penned by dictator Pinochet in 1980. This would enable the privatization of many basic utilities which Chileans believe would reduce the disparity between the rich and the poor.

In Ecuador, the lifting of state fuel subsidies prompted violent reaction from the masses. President Moreno, after seeing the anger that fueled within the hearts of protesters, declared an emergency to ensure things would work appropriately. Ecuador has also seen its fair share of disparities and this time what surfaced was the one between the rural areas and cities. The indigenous group CONAIE and its leaders have also given the government an ultimatum to accept their demands which they have been trying to accomplish for a very long time.

The problems in South America, which continue to grow whether they revolve around the economy or the improvement of basic living standards, are those which will take a long time to quell. If leaders decide authoritative measures aren’t a good idea and listening to the citizens is a better choice, not only the economy, the potential future of these states will also be secured.

L'articolo Failure of the Neo-Liberal Economic Model in South America proviene da InsideOver.

What started as a protest in June 2019 against an extradition bill that would have undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy has now snowballed into a movement for greater freedom and political reforms, thus challenging the legitimacy of the government. Despite repeated warnings by the pro-China authorities, a majority of Hong Kong citizens, including a growing number of school children are vowing to support the uprising through thick and thin. This indicates that China is facing the most sustained challenge since the revolution in Tiananmen Square, thirty years ago.

The mass demonstrations by “Hongkongers” (citizens of Hong Kong describe themselves as “Hongkongers” rather than “Chinese”) are in bold defiance of the Chinese authority, and a crackdown could prove quite costly for China. An open and prosperous Hong Kong is vital for China, as Hong Kong’s wealth has filled the coffers of China. Hong Kong is a massive financial hub, a source of foreign capital, and a currency exchange market with a stock market larger than London. A crackdown would destroy the wealth and Hong Kong’s global position in finance that Beijing needs. Also, Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy are global issues. Moreover, bloodshed in Hong Kong would shatter China’s hopes of bridging the rift with Taiwan.

These considerations protect the protestors from Beijing’s wrath. The trade war with the United States has further restricted China’s options and tilted the balance in favour of demonstrators. The movement has proved that powerful, authoritarian governments can be forced to repeal draconian measures in the face of popular mobilization.

China’s dilemma

China is in a catch 22 situation with Hong Kong. Businesses, both foreign and domestic including China and Hong Kong-based operations, have begun to explore opportunities outside China. Any increased pressure from China would invite severe criticism from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. All three have a profound economic and political interest in Hong Kong’s prosperity and its exceptional freedom under China.

A military crackdown could dent China’s international image as a “Responsible Great Power” and spark further radicalization in Hong Kong. Hong Kong can become a symbol of democratic resistance and spark similar movements in Taiwan. China wants a defeated, obedient population in Hong Kong, not a rebel commune.

How Beijing will deal with Hong Kong and Taiwan in Asia is a very pertinent question. Will economic development hasten the movement’s decline and resolve all sorts of problems that Hong Kong faces today? Hundreds of thousands of protesters who are now demanding greater autonomy will continue their protests, causing further economic and political disruption. The announcement of recession might further fuel dissatisfaction and take violent shape and turn Hong Kong from an economic paradise to a nightmare for business establishments.

On the other hand, if brute force is used, the consequences could be catastrophic. The protestors know this too. This is why, despite Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam’s repeal of the extradition law, they will continue to provoke and test the nerves of Beijing. The warning by the Communist Party officials not to “play with fire” or “mistake restraint for weakness” reflects Beijing’s ways of settling dissent.

The pro-democracy agitation poses a severe challenge to China’s rule. Both protestors and China through its proxies in Hong Kong are standing firm on their grounds. If China doesn’t act swiftly to calm down the agitation, the protests might culminate in either a similar revolt like the Middle East faced that unseated the governments in Egypt and Libya or result in a similar massacre that happened in Tiananmen Square. Will China change its strategy and adopt a pro-democratic stance in Hong Kong is a million-dollar question. And the Hong Kong protestors along with the world are eagerly waiting to know China’s answer to this question.

L'articolo China Needs to Change Its Strategy on Hong Kong Before It Is Too Late proviene da InsideOver.

Massive demonstrations have hit several countries across the globe in recent months. The prolonged protest against the controversial extradition bill (which was later annulled) in Hong Kong may have inspired the global discontent on governments. Global protests can as a result of several triggers. Below are some of the root causes:

Problematic bills

Hong Kong, one of the world’s leading economic hubs, has been plagued by a series of protests against the controversial extradition bill since June 9. The much-debated draft would allow the extradition of prisoners to some countries, including China.

Pro-democracy activists fear that Beijing will abuse the bill if enacted into a law-to silence its opponents. China had backed the extradition draft, aimed at ensuring Hong Kong will no longer be a criminals’ haven.

The idea of having an extradition bill in the former British colony started when a Hong Kong citizen named Chan Tong-kai admitted that he had killed his pregnant girlfriend whilst visiting Taiwan. As Hong Kong and Taiwan do not have an extradition treaty, Chan could not face trial in Taiwan. He was then sent to jail in Hong Kong, charged with money laundering instead of murder.

Hong Kong has enjoyed more freedom of expression than the mainland. Under the repatriation treaty with Britain, Hong Kong will retain its social and judicial system for the next 50 years.

Last month, Hong Kong Executive Leader Carrie Lam officially withdrew the bill. However, Lam’s decision did not satisfy demonstrators, who considered it too late. Hundreds of protesters and police officers were injured during the demonstrations.

Similar protests also took place in Indonesia mid-September. University students across the archipelago protested against the controversial bill on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) which potentially curtails the power of the anti-corruption commission.

Students and activists also opposed the bill on criminal law (RUUKUHP) which contains articles that can threaten freedom of expression and grant a lighter sentence to graft convicts. Two students in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi were killed in the demonstrations.

A few days after the inauguration of Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, university students took to the street again, demanding the incumbent leader issues a regulation in place of law (Perppu) to retract the already-passed KPK law.

Economy and Inequality Problems

Mass rallies erupted in Iraq in early October, raising the oil-rich country’s main problems ranging from high unemployment to poor public services.

The death toll hit almost 100 on the fifth day of protest (October 6), triggering condemnation from the United Nations (UN) and the country’s rights commission. In the first few days of October, around 157 were killed, as shown by recent government data.

“We deeply regret the number, the large number of people that have been killed in these circumstances,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. 

Despite being the OPEC’s second-biggest oil producer, poverty is still the country’s main problem. The World Bank data showed that one of five Iraqis lives in poverty and youth unemployment stands at 25 per cent.

Corruption is still rampant in Iraq. The Transparency International said that Iraq ranked the 12th world’s most corrupt nation.

Chile has seen the largest rally since the end of the military rule under General Augusto Pinochet in 1990. The country’s massive rally was triggered by a price rise in subway fare.

As of October 24, around 200 had been injured, 15 had died and hundreds had been imprisoned. Despite being the world’s largest copper producer (the peak was 2000-2014 before the growth was stagnant), inequality remains high. According to the OECD, the country’s income gap stood at 65 per cent of the organization’s average figure.

President Sebastian Pinera finally suspended the subway fare hike and reshuffled the cabinet. He also promised to raise pension funds and slash the prices of medicine for the poor.

Ecuadoreans from all walks of life (from students, workers, and indigenous groups) took to the street to protest the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed austerity program which cut the four-decade-long fuel subsidy. Demonstrations paralyzed schools and Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno had to relocate the center of the government from Quito to Guayaquil.

Moreno later cancelled the subsidy cuts, meaning the price of fuel would return to normal. The financial crisis also forced the Lebanese government to impose a tax on chat applications such as Whatsapp and Skype. The policy triggered nationwide opposition. The government later rolled back the tax plan on communication applications. After two weeks of protests, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri resigned from his post-Tuesday (October 29).

Lebanon is suffering from the crisis as its debt reaches $ 86 billion, more than150 per cent of its GDP, the country’s ministry of finance revealed

Climate issue

Greta Thunberg a 16-year-old Swedish student has inspired students to take part in the protest against global warming since she sat in front of the Swedish parliament building a year ago. The girl also gained worldwide attention for her “How dare you?” speech at the UN General Assembly last August, expressing her anger at the world’s leaders.

Students around the globe took part ahead of the high-level debate on climate change at the UNGA. World leaders showed mixed reactions. Some praise youth movement but others criticize those students from skipping classes to voice issues they do not understand. The Australian police arrested more than 40 protesters outside the international mining conference in Melbourne. They blocked the conference’s delegates from entering the venue.

Green activists accused the mining industry of chasing the profit by evicting indigenous communities. Around 700 delegates from 100 countries attended the conference to discuss challenges faced by the mining industry.

Separatism

The independence of the Spanish autonomous region Catalonia has become a live issue again since the global financial crisis in 2008 following the week-long protest in Barcelona.

Protests erupted on October 14 following the imprisonment of nine separatist leaders for their role in the independence bid. Last Saturday (October 26), the pro-independence rally turned violent when demonstrators threw bottles, stones, and balls to anti-riot police officers.

Police then retaliated by firing rubber bullets. At least six were injured during the clash, Reuters reported. Pro-independence activists held an illegal referendum in October 2017. Madrid tried to block it then send separatist leaders to jail.

Those demonstrations forced the classic match between Barcelona and their archrival Real Madrid to be postponed to December.

Catalonia has its different language and culture and is one of Spain’s wealthiest regions. The region contributed 19 per cent of Spain’s GDP in 2016.

Election results

 Riots broke out in Bolivia after the government postponed the vote counting of the election held on Sunday (October 20). The preliminary result showed that the incumbent socialist leader Evo Morales won 47.08 per cent of the vote while his contender Carlos Mesa earned 35.51 per cent.

Opposition groups accused the Morales regime of rigging the election. They are demanding re-election.

Political deadlock

 The United Kingdom (UK) is facing a political crisis following the uncertainty over the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU), known as Brexit. Last weekend, tens of thousands of Britons gathered in London to raise their concern over Brexit. The UK  is scheduled to leave the 28-country bloc on October 31. However, the plan could be delayed to avoid Brexit without an agreement.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly stated that the UK would leave the EU on scheduled whatever happens. However, he is required to propose an extension as the Parliament failed to reach an agreement on Brexit.

L'articolo What Triggers Global Protests? proviene da InsideOver.

What started in March as a weekend rally, was, by June, a movement one million strong. The first mass march that month was peaceful; a follow-up three days later was anything but. As projectiles rained down on police officers, they responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. In July, masked protesters stormed the parliament, graffitiing walls and defacing regional emblems. A month later, the airport was overrun. As Hong Kong’s apparent defence of democracy has intensified, so too has Beijing’s concerns of contagion. But now in its sixth month, there’s little sign of the unrest spreading beyond city limits.

The touchpaper, a bill permitting the prosecution of Hongkongers in mainland courts, was dropped as protests escalated – but civil strife has continued to spiral. The movement’s demands now include the removal of Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, who endorsed the unpopular legislation, and an independent investigation into alleged police brutality. There is little doubt of officers’ heavy-handedness, but the protesters’ conduct has been questioned too – arson, assault, and the rampant destruction of property have all occurred.

While the violence has transfixed global audiences, it’s hard to gauge its resonance in mainland China. Citizens are fed news through the filters of Beijing, whose grip on the media is absolute. The protest’s chaotic fringes have been focused on, portraying the movement as a violent, anarchic insurrection. The spectre of terrorism has also be invoked, analysts say. A certain apathy pervades the population too, experts believe, with many mainlanders unwilling to reject state spin in search of the truth.

“[Chinese citizens] probably are not going to get full information, and to be honest they are probably not that interested in digging it out,” says Anthony Saich, a China expert at Harvard University. “It’s not a life-or-death, make-or-break issue for the middle class in mainland China. And I think many of them have bought into the Communist Party’s narrative that ‘without us, there will be chaos’”.

China-based foreign journalists, unrestricted by state censors, have held the line of impartiality. But accessing their coverage, even digitally, is difficult. While there is evidence of users evading Beijing’s ‘Great Firewall’, posts are often promptly removed, or – perhaps worse – rubbished by government affiliates. In August, Twitter closed a series of accounts involved in what it called an attempt to “sow political discord in Hong Kong”.        

But Beijing’s grip on the narrative hasn’t entirely assuaged fears of the protest spreading. Last month, China’s public-security minister visited Guangdong, the nation’s most populous province and Hong Kong’s northerly neighbour. Inspecting local police forces, he urged officers to “resolutely defend the great southern gate of China’s political security” by tackling “all kinds of infiltration, sabotage and subversion”.

If the Hongkongers’ movement was to cross borders, Guangdong would be a logical starting point. Proximity aside, the two enjoy a shared culture, language, and history (many in the city-state are Guangdong refugees or their descendants). The region has a taste for rebellion, too. In 2011, residents of a village named Wukan rose up against state officials, expelling them on grounds of corruption. A police siege eventually brought the locals to heel, but not before a demonstrator was killed. Last year, a workers’ protest in the province was similarly suppressed.           

The authorities are equally uncompromising in Hunan, a region just north of Guangdong. When Chen Siming, a 58-year-old local activist, shared a picture of himself covering one eye – a sign of solidarity with beleaguered Hongkongers – he was soon summoned to a nearby police station. “The taste of jail is unpleasant,” Chen was reportedly told, as officers threatened to lock him up and terrorise his family. It’s just one incident in a “battle” being fought throughout China, observers say. 

“The government’s battle for Hong Kong is also being fought in mainland cities. The Chinese government is working overtime to threaten and detain mainlanders from sharing and commenting on the protests in Hong Kong for fear of what it may spark back home,” said Frances Eve, a member of the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) group.

While it’s clear that many in mainland China support the Hongkongers’ protest – with some even venturing into the city to participate – Beijing is prevailing in its containment efforts. With control of the airwaves, it can peddle a narrative that unfairly skews the demonstrators’ demands and exaggerates their violence. But the protesters must bear some blame for their tarnished image – trashed buildings and burning cars reflect poorly on their democratic cause. 

Still, Hong Kong is a breeding ground of liberalism, a point not lost on China’s leadership. Like all repressive regimes, they fear reform and the forces fighting for it. As long as the risk of contagion persists, so too will Beijing’s heavy hand.    

L'articolo Will Hong Kong’s Protests Spread To Mainland China? proviene da InsideOver.

Students from universities and schools in Hong Kong are to take part in a class boycott in September, following weeks of protests in the city against the Government’s planned extradition bill. The boycott follows the news that prominent pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were arrested on Friday 30 August in what appears to be a government crackdown.

Reports suggest that up to 10,000 students from around 200 schools could boycott classes at the beginning of next week. 10 universities are also due to take part in the walk outs, set to commence on September 2. A joint statement released on Friday from Secondary School Student Organizations and Students’ Unions of Higher Institutions outlined the motives behind the boycott:

“How is it possible, when the Government brutally tears Hong Kong apart and turns every street and district into battlefields, for us to sit down at our desks in school like nothing happened?”

“We call for the participation of all secondary school students and students of higher institutions in the upcoming class boycott starting on 2 September. Hong Kong is no longer what it was; students will not be willing to be the puppets of the Government that go to school every day as if nothing happened.”

The statement was released hours after prominent pro-democracy campaigners and members of the ‘Demosisto’ group Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were both arrested and charged with inciting unlawful assembly for demonstrations that took place in the city on 21 June. Both have since been released on bail at HK$10,000. The case has been adjourned until November.

Moreover, reports surfaced on Wednesday that Ivan Lam, Chairman of the Demosisto group and one of the principal organizers of the upcoming student walkouts, has been charged, but not arrested due to currently being outside of Hong Kong.

Independence campaigner Andy Chan was also detained on Thursday evening while attempting to board a flight to Japan, and Former HKU Student Union President Althea Suen has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to destroy or damage property and entering the precincts of Legislative Chamber, following the storming of the building on July 1. At the time, the move sparked a heavy counter-reaction from police authorities, with pepper spray and rubber bullets having been deployed against protestors since then. Following Friday’s arrests, a protest scheduled for Saturday which had been organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, has now been cancelled due to public safety concerns, according to police authorities.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist in tensions between Hong Kong and Beijing, reports have surfaced of talks between Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Chinese central government – in which Lam allegedly proposed that the controversial extradition bill be withdrawn in order to appease the protestors. Reuters reports that the Chinese central government refused to take Lam’s advice. On Friday, a Hong Kong Government spokesperson declined InsideOver’s request to confirm the reports.

The recent arrests involving specific individuals central to the pro-democracy cause in Hong Kong may give momentum to next week’s class boycotts, which will involve students skipping classes once a week to join rallies at schools over the city.

Young people in Hong Kong have become increasingly mobilized in political protests over recent years. In 2012, following a proposal by the Hong Kong government to introduce educational reforms that would bring the teaching curricula in the city closer to that of mainland China, a new group emerged – with Joshua Wong, Anges Chow and Ivan Lam all featuring with prominent roles in the group.

This collective, known as ‘Scholarism’ organized a series of demonstrations and managed to mobilize the student community in Hong Kong. The group managed to force the government to retract the reform plans and used the momentum to take them into the so- called ‘Umbrella revolution’ of 2014 – a series of uprisings against the Hong Kong government’s plans for electoral reform that would have seen Beijing vet potential Hong Kong leadership candidates.

This time around, protests have been ignited following the presentation of an extradition bill that would have given authorities in the city the right to deport suspected criminals from Hong Kong to China. However, opponents to the bill believe that the measures would have seen many pro-democracy campaigners exposed to the risk of facing deportation.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the EU’s Foreign Affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini condemned the recent developments in Hong Kong as “extremely worrying”.

“We expect the authorities in Hong Kong to respect the freedom of assembly, expression and association as well as the right of people to demonstrate peacefully,” Mogherini said, speaking after a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Helsinki.

“We will continue to pass messages publicly and privately and continue to work for the situation not to continue to go into the wrong direction but rather the opposite, to reverse to a more positive trend,” she added.

Joshua Wong has previously called for Europe to assist Hong Kong activists in their fight for democracy, as reports of police brutality become more and more commonplace. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in July that sought to put pressure on authorities in Hong Kong to desist from using force in the quelling of the demonstrations, as well as demand that an independent enquiry take place into the reports of police brutality.

L'articolo Children of Hong Kong to Boycott Class as Pro-Democracy Activists Arrested proviene da InsideOver.