The Hong Kong high court is due to rule Tuesday on whether two young people elected as legislators in the Chinese territory can hold office despite taking oaths where they used their own language. Their words and the anti-China sentiment behind them offended Beijing.
The duo, Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, took the supposed oaths on Oct. 12.
They belong to a political party called Youngspiration, which is ideologically close to the protesters who occupied Hong Kong streets for nearly 80 days in 2014 to resist Beijing’s vetting of election candidates.
Their fate in court could revive those “Umbrella Movement” demonstrations as sympathetic youth worry again about China’s influence.
They belong to a political party called Youngspiration, which is ideologically close to the protesters who occupied Hong Kong streets for nearly 80 days in 2014 to resist Beijing’s vetting of election candidates.
Their fate in court could revive those “Umbrella Movement” demonstrations as sympathetic youth worry again about China’s influence.
Mass protests are a headache for China as it seeks to contain autonomy seekers in Hong Kong, as well as its far west, while convincing proudly self-ruled Taiwan it should someday unify with Beijing.
Hong Kong’s legal system is technically autonomous.
Hong Kong’s legal system is technically autonomous.
However, the territory of 7 million people has fallen under Communist Chinese rule since 1997. China is hardly tolerant of dissent, to wit its role in the disappearance earlier this year of Hong Kong booksellers who sold material critical of Chinese leaders.
Thousands protested already in Hong Kong Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 over Beijing’s influence in the oath flap.
Thousands protested already in Hong Kong Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 over Beijing’s influence in the oath flap.
A legislative committee in Beijing had reviewed Hong Kong’s law and moved toward an interpretation that would stop legislators in the territory from actions or words that breach allegiance to the People’s Republic.
Hong Kong’s chief executive and justice secretary had asked the court to declare as vacant the seats won by Leung, 30, and Yau, 25.
Protests could easily reignite Tuesday or over the weekend again if the court tells the duo they can neither be legislators nor retake the oath.
“Beijing’s intervention is likely to add fuel to fire in Hong Kong, where many already feel deeply resentful towards the central government, contributing to similar expression of anger in the future,” says Maya Wang, China researcher with the advocacy group Human Rights Watch.
Yet any street demonstrations may be short lived this time.
Protests could easily reignite Tuesday or over the weekend again if the court tells the duo they can neither be legislators nor retake the oath.
“Beijing’s intervention is likely to add fuel to fire in Hong Kong, where many already feel deeply resentful towards the central government, contributing to similar expression of anger in the future,” says Maya Wang, China researcher with the advocacy group Human Rights Watch.
Yet any street demonstrations may be short lived this time.
About 44,000 people in Hong Kong had signed an online petition asking that Yau apologize for using the F-word and calling China the derogatory term “Chee-na” in her oath, Hong Kong Free Press reported in mid-October.
Internet commentary reveals a mix of support and bewilderment.
Internet commentary reveals a mix of support and bewilderment.
Some people wonder why the pair didn’t see the clash coming or what they expected if they did.
“I’m surprised that the two refused to take the oath,” a portfolio manager in Hong Kong told this blog.
“I mean, they should have thought of that before running, yes? If you’re not going to take the oath than why run?”
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire