I'm sure our posters in Hong Kong can provide a more nuanced position, but this deserves a separate thread as the situation deteriorates.
Best I can sum it up as is WTAF are China doing? And I am glad that the UK Govt are not sitting idly by while China break the agreement. Another disgusting perspective on who China really are under the Winnie the Pooh.
Gary,
Totally disagree. Most of those over 30 are neutral or supportive of China, and they are angry and the students and youngsters, especially with the violence when protests have been peaceful before. Indeed there are some conspiracies that the violence was planned and organised as this would allow China to take a stronger influence.
China is not perfect, but they have come a long way in 15 years both culturally, economically and on the world stage. No country and people are perfect, but to be honest I would classify China and its people as no worse than the UK or the US.
In terms of negotiating the handover, a lot was about money. However, China was very flexible and in the meetings they did remind the UK, they had every right to break down the border and send the PLA in when the handover date in 1997 occured.
HK has always been a haven for money. Pre 1997 a lot of people and businesses didnt pay taxes, hence there is a story that everyone scrambled around to pay their back taxes. This left HK with reserves of billions of dollars. In the negotiations both the UK and China wanted these monies, in the end it was spent on HK, hence you see the new airport, bridges and other huge investments.
To most people HK has always been part of China. Someone quoted a very easy to understand analogy which I will try and get the link to;
Imagine you lease your house out for 150 years. You lease it, but it is yours. After 150 years the lease is due to finish, however the leaseholder asks to extend it. You agree, but know the property will finally be returned to you in another 50 years later. So you write up and lease but put a lot of clauses in the lease as its almost like a transitional lease. However as you come to halfway in that extended lease, you dont like the way your property is being treated and the occupants, what would you do? Its highly likely you would look to end that lease early, or to protect what is your property, you would evict or control the occupants.