Latest update: 22/07/2011 

- China - Freedom of Speech - Freedom of the press - Hong Kong


'One country, two systems' in doubt as Beijing ups media control in Hong Kong

In 1997, a century and a half of British rule in Hong Kong came to an end, as the island passed back under Chinese control. As a result, Hong Kong has benefited from the "one country, two systems" principle, whereby it is part of China but retains certain rights, such as freedom of speech. Yet some residents say they've noticed a marked difference in Beijing's attitude to the island in recent times and fear that their precious freedoms are being eroded.

By Baptiste FALLEVOZ
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A factual error

Hong Kong is under the sovereignty of China, but it is NOT part of China. There is a border between Hong Kong and China; to cross the border, one needs to present a travel document at the border checkpoints; we can see border guards, barbed wires, fences and watch towers along the border - pretty much everything one would expect to see at a border.

The relationship between Hong Kong and China and similar to that between the British Crown dependencies and the UK. The Chinese has no say in Hong Kong affairs except those related to defence (e.g. the Chinese garrison is responsible for defence) and foreign affairs (e.g. Hong Kong passport holders travelling abroad are protected by the Chinese government).

Beijing IS the cause

First of all, the Chief Executive is just elected by a group of 800 rich and powerful people. Second, half of the seats in the Legislative Council are almost like appointed to conservative politicians who are also businessmen (mostly). That means the elected representatives have no real power in legislative structure since half of the council are controlled by Beijing already. Beijing refuse to reform the political structure and instead move more Mainland immigrants to Hong Kong. Beijing IS the root problem.
For the media, Beijing refuse to let Hong Kong to have more boardcast channels.

Hong Kong City-State Autonomy Movement (HKAM )

I am a HongKonger. Yes, our precious freedoms are being eroded. We are now ruled by the China Communist Party.

However, we are currently organizing the Hong Kong City-State Autonomy Movement ( HKAM) to fight back our rights.

http://hkam2011.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%87%AA%E6%B2%BB%E9%81%8B%E5%8B%95-%E9%BE%8D%E7%8D%85%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%97%9...

Hong Kong

Why does that surprise anyone - it has been a given - since hand over

Beijing Not the Problem

I have lived in Hong Kong for 15 years and I can say the problem with freedoms being eroded is not because Beijing is interfering. It is happening because conservative politicians find it convenient to restrict the more socialist elements in favor of big business and then let Beijing be blamed. The erosion of freedoms have all been internally promoted and enacted by Hong Kong politicians. it is almost certain they are doing it for there own ends. Beijing is not the cause of these political issues.

Island territory???

Hong Kong isn't just Hong Kong Island... ya know... that's totally disregarding Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories, which borders China to the North on the Shenzhen River... :(

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