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Quadriga - Hong Kong Protests - Challenge for China?

October 2, 2014

Tens of thousands are on the streets of Hong Kong, demonstrating for more democracy. Beijing calls the protesters extremists and is backing to the territory's political leaders, who have turned police batons and tear gas against their own citizens. Will the former colony soon see authoritarian rule like that elsewhere in China, or will the push for democracy spread from Hong Kong to the mainland?

https://p.dw.com/p/1DP9Q

Following the violent crackdown by Hong Kong's police last weekend, thousands are still protesting peacefully on the streets in the heart of the city. They are demanding that Hong Kong's leader CY Leung step down. Governments around the world have indicated they are concerned about developments in the territory. But the leadership in Beijing rejects any attempt by outsiders to involve themselves in China's internal affairs. While some business people and the influential Hong Kong Bar Association have given their support to the Occupy Central protest movement, most banks and businesses are keeping their distance from the democracy demonstrators. Some are even describing the situation as a threat to Hong Kong's role as a financial hub.

China Hongkong Massendemonstration im Finanzviertel Handys
Image: Reuters/C. Barria
China Studentenprotest in Hongkong Occupy Central Demonstrant Regenschirm
Image: Reuters/T. Siu

The demonstrators want citizens to be able to choose Hong Kong's Chief Executive in a properly free election in 2017. That, after all, was agreed between Britain and China when London returned control of the territory to Beijing in 1997. But the Chinese government wants to limit the the choice of candidates to those approved by a vetting committee with close links to Beijing. The official policy of 'One Country, Two Systems' is being put to the test.

Studentenprotest in Hongkong Occupy Central 28. Sept
Image: Reuters

Where is Hong Kong heading? Will the territory be the springboard for a democratic awakening across China? Or will it ultimately be controlled by authoritarian masters from the mainland?

Tell us what you think. Send an email to quadriga(at)dw.de
Hong Kong Protests - Challenge for China?

Our guests:

02.10.2014 DW Quadriga Studiogast Shi Ming

Shi Ming - studied German language and literature in Beijing, before beginning a career as a lawyer and later as a journalist. Since 1990 he has lived and worked in Cologne, Freiburg and Berlin. Ming has reported on Chinese politics for German broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandfunk, and for publications such as FAZ, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Le monde diplomatique.

02.10.2014 DW Quadriga Studiogast Sven Hansen

Sven Hansen - studied politics at university before becoming a journalist. His interest in Asian affairs began when he was a freelancer working in Hong Kong. In 1997, he joined the Berlin daily the "taz", as editor of the Asian desk. He still often travels to the region.

03.04.2014 DW Quadriga Günter Knabe

Günter Knabe - studied political science before beginning extensive field trips across Asia in the 1960s. In 1979, he joined Deutsche Welle, first as a reporter, later moving up to head of department for Afghanistan, then the whole of Asia. From 2003 on he was the broadcaster's diplomatic correspondent for Asia and the Islamic world in Berlin.