I was never under any illusions about the agreement with Hong Kong. The PRC brooks no resistance to its absolute control. They tried to build up Shanghai as an equivalent to Hong Kong, hoping to move business there, which failed. The Hong Kongers have bravely held up their end as best they can, but the PRC has been slowly tightening their grip around the government.
Right now, Hong Kong is still a major player due to their importance to international trade and their very high visibility – they are meant to be evidence that China isn’t all bad, see? – but when it comes down to it, Hong Kong has a total population of 7 million people, and China has an army of over 2 million.
China doesn’t take well to visible challenge. I fear for Hong Kong when China decides it can do without it.
I was never under any illusions about the agreement with Hong Kong. The PRC brooks no resistance to its absolute control. They tried to build up Shanghai as an equivalent to Hong Kong, hoping to move business there, which failed. The Hong Kongers have bravely held up their end as best they can, but the PRC has been slowly tightening their grip around the government.
Right now, Hong Kong is still a major player due to their importance to international trade and their very high visibility – they are meant to be evidence that China isn’t all bad, see? – but when it comes down to it, Hong Kong has a total population of 7 million people, and China has an army of over 2 million.
China doesn’t take well to visible challenge. I fear for Hong Kong when China decides it can do without it.