Umbrella Soldiers In Hong Kong Send A Democratic Challenge To China
By Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava
25 November, 2015
Countercurrents.org
The win of Umbrella Soldiers in Hong Kong’s local elections signals that in Chinese ruled Hong Kong an undercurrent for democracy and opposition to authoritarian rule of China is flowing. This group won eight candidates in district council, though not a powerful position but at least influential in policy making. The umbrella soldier is a group of young people, symbol of the people’s desire to live and shape their destiny, related to last year’s seventy nine days protest, aims to bring real democracy in Hong Kong but China has consistently insisted that elections for legislature in 2017 will be organized in accordance to decision made by it which are quite restrictive in nature. China has imposed a filter system for the elections, concluding fact is that it wants that only those candidate should be allowed to contest which are pro Chinese in their political leanings.
This is just a fun of the democracy which demands several things but at least the equality among the people and the free choices of the individuals to contest the elections and the free choice of the citizens to elect the person of their choice.
China is to be blamed in full manner that it has crippled the basic rights of the people. Just have a look on its constitution which guarantees several fundamental liberties to the people but in the name of the people’s movement it does not grant even a single in real terms.
Chinese communism has in fact done the greatest loss to the human civilization as it has kept bounded the spirit of a very large section of the world population. If they had freedom in real terms then they could have innovated something substantial for the country and the world at large. Hence in the name of ideology the Chinese communist system has destroyed the free will of its people.
In 1997 when Hong Kong became a part of China after British lapse of suzenarity, it wanted to live the way the western democratic system had lived but China had another intentions. It just faked its promises and finally it started to control the democratic wishes of the people of the Hong Kong. It started to redefine the basic constitution, the fundamental law for the people of Hong Kong according to its interests; but it was the will and determination of the young people of Hong Kong who challenged the Chinese political system and the result is now here for everyone to analyze what fate now awaits for the Chinese communism. The spark is there and next few years will decide to which direction these organizations succeed to defeat the anti democratic policies of the Chinese government. Although pro Chinese parties and elements also exist but a challenge has come, may be feeble now but may strengthen in due course.
There are certain arguments in its defense. The number of tourists from mainland China to Hong Kong is increasing every year. This may cause problems to Chinese government as the democratic sentiments are absorbed by the visitors. They are also perplexed to have a look on the life style of people of Hong Kong. Among which the predominance of British gift the rule of law is much impactful as it has made Hong Kong what it is today and which is lacking in the Chinese mainland.
This philosophy of the governance if transmitted to china in effective manner, it can help to eliminate the corrosive control of the Chinese government on the people of the country. The Hong Kong people also have the freedom of expression, free speech which is not available to the mainland people in real terms. This freedom is essential to collect and agitate for their rights. These developments cannot be crushed by the mainland government. Therefore China may in future become more corrosive in domestic affairs. China has blocked several websites due to fear of spread of the correct information about its real policies and the awakening of the people. China is well ware that people by and large are not much contented within the country, moreover the communist party’s control on the PLA has weakened.PLA in its own capabilities has detoriated in recent time. These developments are not good for the regime to continue.
The win is therefore needs to be looked in a positive manner. It may appear a small one but is possessed with a seed of change. It is quite likely that in future it may have wider consequences, the future will tell the answer but the projection can be made for a big change in the China and Hong Kong in the years to come.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava is Assistant Professor, CSJM Kanpur University (affiliated College) and Vice Chairman CSSP, e mail-[email protected]