Following a string of protests last week by students at the Chinese University in Hong Kong, demonstrations continue against restrictions on voting set by Beijing in advance of Hong Kong’s 2017 election.
The specific restrictions under protest are those surrounding the election of Hong Kong’s first democratically elected leader, particularly because the National People’s Congress insists that potential candidates be vetted by a party committee rather than be chosen through primary or another form of candidate selection. Protesters contend that you cannot have democratic elections without being able to choose your own candidates. In addition, protestors believe that vested political and economic interests will be promoted rather than those of the people.
Yet protesters have met resistance as the police used teargas, pepper spray, and batons to break up Sunday’s sit-in throughout Hong Kong’s major thoroughfare. Many protesters have responded by wearing gas masks and goggles as well as calling for an indefinite student strike.
Is the ability to directly choose one’s leaders worth striking for? Do you think the protesters will succeed in obtaining political concessions from China’s National Communist Party? Are there other ways to create change besides protesting?
Guests:
Gabriel Law, spokesperson, Hong Kong Forum, a Los Angeles-based organization that advocates for democracy in Hong Kong and China. Yesterday, the HK Forum organized an impromptu protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles to support the student demonstrations in Hong Kong
Clayton Dube, Executive Director, U.S.- China Institute at USC