What's wrong with Hong Kong (and how to fix it)

[Double Edge]

Yes, I'm surprised, and it is pretty interesting that you are not.
How's Fox News these days?

Ever heard of PBS, i recommend it

[DOR]

And you are surprised ? i stopped listening to CNN the moment Trump was elected

Yes, I'm surprised, and it is pretty interesting that you are not.
How's Fox News these days?

[Double Edge]

I just watched the most unprofessional journalism I’ve ever seen from what should be a reputable news source: CNN.

The unnamed journalist (a woman in a pink shirt) didn’t interview Alan Hoo, CPPCC member and Vice Chair of the Liberal Party, about the invasion of LegCo.
She debated him.
She interrupted him.
She harangued him.

It was embarrassing.

And you are surprised ? i stopped listening to CNN the moment Trump was elected

[Pnoy]

This is an exciting development indeed, after the peaceful protesters thrashed the HK legislature building, the police will now have all the excuse they need to manage the situation with the proper amount of force. Disillusioned Hongkongers who do not wish to stay in HK under CCP rule will find ways to relocate to other countries, and the Philippines is always open for HK investors willing to pool their money into the country.

[DOR]

I just watched the most unprofessional journalism I’ve ever seen from what should be a reputable news source: CNN.

The unnamed journalist (a woman in a pink shirt) didn’t interview Alan Hoo, CPPCC member and Vice Chair of the Liberal Party, about the invasion of LegCo.
She debated him.
She interrupted him.
She harangued him.

It was embarrassing.

[Oracle]

Hong Kong: Protesters breach government building on handover anniversary

Dozens of demonstrators broke through the glass of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building, while a large crowd observed the unrest from outside.

Hundreds then entered the building, spray-painting messages on the walls and occupying the central legislative chamber.

The unrest is a breakaway part of a peaceful protest involving thousands.

Earlier, police held signs warning they would use force if protesters charged the glass exterior walls. They later warned that anyone who breached an internal metal gate would be arrested.

But on each occasion, they decided not to move against the crowd – which was armed with plastic helmets, makeshift cardboard shields and umbrellas – apparently falling back instead.

Inside the central legislative chamber, one protester sprayed black paint across the emblem of Hong Kong on the rear wall - while another waved the old colonial flag, which features the union jack of the United Kingdom.

Police had, however, used pepper spray and batons to contain crowds during earlier clashes.

Pro-democracy demonstrators had taken to the streets on the anniversary of the city's handover from UK to Chinese rule.

This is the latest in a series of protests against a controversial bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China.

The government has agreed to suspend it indefinitely, but rallies continue amid calls for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, has been part of China since 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal that guarantees it a level of autonomy. Pro-democracy events are held every year to mark the handover.

The LegCo building was put on red alert for the first ever time on Monday - meaning people should evacuate the building and area.

But by 21:00 (13:00 GMT), the watching crowd had grown rather than dispersed, and hundreds of protesters streamed through the broken glass into the building proper.

What happened on Monday?
In the morning, a flag-raising ceremony to mark the handover took place inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, amid a heavy police presence.

Demonstrators blocked several roads nearby early using items like metal and plastic barriers.

Police officers equipped with shields, batons and pepper spray clashed with hundreds of protesters about 30 minutes before the ceremony.

At least one woman was seen bleeding from a head wound after the clashes, AFP news agency says.

A police statement condemned "illegal acts" by protesters who, it said, had taken iron poles and guard rails from nearby building sites.

Thirteen police officers were taken to hospital after protesters threw an "unknown liquid" at them, police said. Some are reported to have suffered breathing difficulties as a result.

Thousands joined a mostly peaceful pro-democracy march on Monday afternoon.

At about lunchtime, a breakaway group of protesters moved to LegCo where the government meets. The small group began ramming the glass doors with a metal trolley, succeeding in smashing in the door, before largely dispersing.

On Monday evening, some then returned to LegCo and began pulling off external fencing and entered the building.

Protesters were than contained by a heavy-duty internal gate, where police were standing ready to respond. But after they eventually prised the gate open, police fell back further inside the building.

One man, identifying himself as G, told the BBC at the scene that protesters were expecting violence.

"The movement is now beyond the bill. It's about the autonomy of Hong Kong," he said.

"I do worry about the potential public backlash. Everything we do has a risk and this is one of the risks that people here are willing to take."

The government condemned what it labelled "extremely violent" acts, adding police would "take appropriate enforcement action to protect public order and safety".

Speaking at the earlier flag ceremony, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam had pledged to spend more time listening to the public so that the government's future work would be "more responsive" to its "aspirations, sentiments and opinions".

It was Ms Lam's first public appearance since 18 June, when she issued an apology for her handling of the extradition law.

Special significance
Karishma Vaswani, BBC News, Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a history of peaceful protests and for the most part these demonstrations were calm, barring these clashes with police.

The overwhelming sense I got after speaking to many here is that there is a real anger amongst young people and frustration with how Hong Kong is being run. They want protesters detained released, the bill withdrawn and Carrie Lam to resign.

Away from the anger I also saw remarkable scenes of co-operation. One by one people passed umbrellas, helmets and cling film to each other as they stood firm against the police who had brought pepper spray and batons to fight back.

As evening fell, the crowds swelled - as the protesters were joined by families with young children who had joined the pro-democracy march that takes place every year to mark the handover of Hong Kong to mainland China.

But this year it's taken on a special significance - a chance to show the government here that they won't give up their city without a fight.

Why have people been protesting?
Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" system allows it freedoms not seen in mainland China, including judicial independence.

The extradition bill raised concerns for that status.

Critics of the bill feared it could be used to target opponents of the government in Beijing, and to bring Hong Kong further under China's control.

On 12 June police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds marching against the bill - the worst violence in the city in decades.

Eventually, the demonstrations forced the government to apologise and suspend the planned extradition law.

However, many protesters said they would not back down until the bill had been completely scrapped.

Many are still angry about the level of force used by police on 12 June, and have called for an investigation.

"The Hong Kong police's well-documented use of excessive force against peaceful protesters urgently demands a fully independent investigation," said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement.

However, there have also been smaller demonstrations by the territory's pro-Beijing movement.

On Sunday, thousands of pro-Beijing protesters rallied in support of the Hong Kong police.

One pro-Beijing protester told AFP police were just trying to "maintain order", calling the anti-extradition protesters "senseless".

[Double Edge]

Then there is this guy

[Double Edge]

This is next gen

The 2nd protest march got 2 million

[Oracle]

With the string of setbacks that you listed what are the chances that the people he sidelined in the name of consolidation come back and challenge in their own way.

What you're talking about is Xi's purge in the name of corruption. There is every chance things blow up in his face, but still some more time to go. Support of the PLA is also vital. The Colonel is the wiser and the more knowledgeable one to add more on this.

So the same applies here and its an irony. Xi has not put his name on the extradition bill but he definitely gave it the green light. Now that it has blown up there is some one else that can take the fall. And it shows that an unpopular leader can be replaced in HK, ballot or no ballot. Unlike in Beijing where he is in charge.

That is the extent of how violent it got a week back. The number of people with cameras videoing makes it seem staged. But it is not. If it was really violent cameras would not be so close. See the end, cops are beating this guy and he's like are you done, can i go home now. He then gets up and walks off.

Everybody is replaceable. Even Xi is, in the right circumstances.

[Double Edge]

^ Xi is making himself look like a fool. Life long monarch, trade dispute, HK, Taiwan, Uighurs, Belt and Road etc etc. One shouldn't stretch too much, if one doesn't have the means. China ofcourse has the means, dollar wise, I'm talking about execution. With troubles mounting, Xi probably is thinking 1 term was enough, should have let somebody else deal with this shit. For course correction, who'd show him the correct path? He sits at the top of the hierarchy, and no one below would ever think of criticising him.

With the string of setbacks that you listed what are the chances that the people he sidelined in the name of consolidation come back and challenge in their own way.

This is the beauty of democracy. One can criticize Trump all he wants, and nothing will happen. Criticize Xi, and disappear. Or get your organs harvested. :D

So the same applies here and its an irony. Xi has not put his name on the extradition bill but he definitely gave it the green light. Now that it has blown up there is some one else that can take the fall. And it shows that an unpopular leader can be replaced in HK, ballot or no ballot. Unlike in Beijing where he is in charge.

That is the extent of how violent it got a week back. The number of people with cameras videoing makes it seem staged. But it is not. If it was really violent cameras would not be so close. See the end, cops are beating this guy and he's like are you done, can i go home now. He then gets up and walks off.

[Oracle]

^ Xi is making himself look like a fool. Life long monarch, trade dispute, HK, Taiwan, Uighurs, Belt and Road etc etc. One shouldn't stretch too much, if one doesn't have the means. China ofcourse has the means, dollar wise, I'm talking about execution. With troubles mounting, Xi probably is thinking 1 term was enough, should have let somebody else deal with this shit. For course correction, who'd show him the correct path? He sits at the top of the hierarchy, and no one below would ever think of criticising him.

This is the beauty of democracy. One can criticize Trump all he wants, and nothing will happen. Criticize Xi, and disappear. Or get your organs harvested. :D

[Double Edge]

Carrie Lam is Chinese and her loyalty lies with the CPC, nothing will happen to her.

She had a job to do, could not do it and embarrassed her boss because now it looks like he had to back down. Xi has enough headaches with Trump as it is.

[DOR]

A normal university is one that trains teachers.

The Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, is the likely short-term successor if Carrie Lam steps down. He is a lick-spittle of the first water, and a decidedly second class thinker. Among his brainstorms was to set the minimum wage at the average wage . . . think about that for a minute; I'll wait . . . get it?

[Oracle]

Carrie Lam is Chinese and her loyalty lies with the CPC, nothing will happen to her. Interesting to know that her husband Lam Siu-por holds a British passport and teaches math at Beijing Normal University (Normal????), and one of her son Jeremy (British) works for Xiaomi in Beijing.

[Double Edge]

Who thinks Lam is going to be led to slaughter because Uncle Xi is not impressed ?

Another chief executive for HK beckons.

One who can get things done without turning domestic affairs into the evening news around the world.