The Influences of Colonization and Other Factors on the Hong Kong Protests

Hong Kong Region

Hong Kong is a territory located southeastern part of China. The region is different from other cities within the Chinese area for many reasons. The region was a British colony for more than 150 years, and after the war in 1842, part of the region was ceded to the United Kingdom. Later on, the rest of the region was leased to the British for 99 years. The economy of the region experienced tremendous growth from the 1950s, becoming a great manufacturing hub. After the end of the 99-year lease, the British, together with China, agreed that the region should be returned to Chinese rule. However, the return of the territory was based on the principle of 'one country, two systems'. Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters to deal with foreign affairs and defense for fifty years (Cheung & Hughes, 2019). Therefore, the region has its legal system, its people enjoy rights to assembly, and there is free speech. The current Hong Kong protests, also called the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement, can be explained by assessing the historical aspects related to globalization, nationalism, imperialism, globalization, and human rights.

Colonization plays a significant role in the protests which are currently happening in the region. The region has operated differently from other parts of the more massive Chinese country from being able to formulate its legal frameworks to allowing citizens to assemble and free speech freely. In China, freedom of speech is a privilege and not a right. The freedom of expression is limited, and the government can monitor what is published in the media. The only individuals who can publish criticism, which are the opinions contrary to those of the Communists Party, are the senior Communist Party members only (CECC, nd). When the Hong Kong region was under the 99-years lease to Britain, it developed a liberal society as it enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. The region enjoyed the freedom of speech and assembly, unlike in the best parts of the Chinese territory. In 1989, the student-led demonstrators assembled in Tiananmen Square in Beijing China, where the police opened fire to unarmed demonstrators, killing dozens of people (Lim, 2014). Through colonialism, Hong Kong adopted a different path where it promoted free speech, and it enjoyed high economic freedom.

Both Britain and China reached a deal in 1984, which saw the region returned to China in 1997. The principle which guided the process allowed Hong Kong to operate within its systems for 50 years. Therefore, the legal system, borders, and the rights for assembly together with free speech were to be protected. The region continued to enjoy the freedoms which cannot be found on the mainland. However, the rights groups have accused China of meddling with Hong Kong. The groups have cited legal rulings like those which disqualify pro-democracy legislators. The disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers who later were identified in Chinese custody influences the protest. Both artists and writers operate under increased pressure to self-censor the content. The Hong Kong Basic Law gives the people the right to choose their leaders through voting. However, the Chinese government in 2014 affirmed that it would only allow the Hong Kong citizens to choose their leaders from the pre-approved list by the pro-Beijing committee, although the fundamental law of Hong Kong expires in 20147 (Cheung & Hughes, 2019). Therefore, the disagreement between the two regions on how their leaders should be chosen acts as a source of the protest. Those in Hong Kong view the actions of the Chinese government as imperialistic, given that it wants to take political control over the region despite the existence of the Basic Law.

Nationality has influenced the perception of those staying in Hong Kong. The University of Hong Kong conducted a survey and established quite exciting findings. Only 11% of the population in Hong Kong would call themselves Chinese while the majority refer themselves as 'Hong Kongers' (Cheung & Hughes, 2019). Similarly, 71% of the population do not feel proud of being Chinese, although the region is part of China. The young people of Hong Kong have called for the region to be ceded from China and become an independent state. If the extradition bill is passed, the region will be brought closer under the control of China, which is viewed as restrictive and frustrates human rights.

When Hong Kong was under Britain rule, the country's economy improved significantly. It rose to be a manufacturing hub. The use of technology was diffused to many activities. As a result, the territory became populated with migrants and dissidents who were either fleeing the poverty experienced in the China mainland or the instability and persecution in China (Cheung & Hughes, 2019). During the Great Leap Forward Period; 1959-1962, China experienced the collapse of food production (Piazza, 2017). The country failed to take appropriate collective measures to deal with the collapse of food production, an aspect that led to widespread famine and a sharp decline in the leaving standards. Therefore, many people migrated to the neighboring regions, including Hong Kong, which at that time was experiencing tremendous economic growth. Those who migrated to Hong Kong and have experienced a different legal system, political structure, and standard of living fear going back to the Chinese system. Also, Hong Kong's economic freedom is at 90.2 rankings as the world freest economy. The region enjoys trade freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom, unlike mainland China (The Heritage Foundation, 2019). However, China's economic freedom score is 58.4, which is lower than in Hong Kong. The foreign investors, entrepreneurs, fear that operating under the control of China will negatively affect the market.

Conclusion

Many factors influence the protest experienced in Hong Kong. Colonization plays a more significant role, given that the colonizers established different political, legal, economic, and social frameworks to those of mainland China. Human rights and freedoms have been respected in Hong Kong as a right. However, in China, it is a privilege that is regulated by the government. Globalization, through free trade and free movement of labor in and out of Hong Kong evident by the high economic freedom score, makes the region and its people unique. The citizens have been protesting against the extradition law, which could allow mainland China to exert its control over Hong Kong. Given the economic growth in Hong Kong, the protest is legitimate, and the government of China should concede. However, the appropriate action should involve negotiation between two regions to ensure that the economic, political, and social gains experienced in Hong Kong are not washed down by the protests.

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