Table of Contents
Is Hong Kong considered part of mainland China?
Hong Kong and Macau are both sovereign territories of the People’s Republic of China. However, due to the One Country Two Systems policy, the two regions maintain a high degree of autonomy, hence they are considered not to be part of mainland China.
What is the story behind Hong Kong protest?
The founding cause of the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests was the proposed legislation of the 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill. However, other causes have been pointed out, such as demands for democratic reform, the Causeway Bay Books disappearances, or the fear of losing a “high degree of autonomy” in general.
What government runs Hong Kong?
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China is led by the Chief Executive, the head of government. On 1 July 1997, sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to China (PRC), ending over one and a half centuries of British rule.
What are Hong Kong’s protests really about?
Hong Kong’s protests started in June against plans to allow extradition to mainland China. Critics feared this could undermine judicial independence and endanger dissidents.
Can mainland Chinese government interfere in Hong Kong?
The Basic Law stipulates that mainland Chinese government departments cannot interfere in Hong Kong, nor do mainland laws apply in the city, except under limited circumstances. One article requires Hong Kong to enact national security laws “on its own.”
What is the rule of law like in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong was to continue to adhere to its own rule of law, rather than to the version applied in the mainland, where the law is a tool for forcing compliance with Communist Party dictates. Twenty-three years after the handover, China has abandoned its promise of a separate system for Hong Kong.
Is China’s commitment to democracy enough to save Hong Kong?
The city has done its part, serving China as one of the world’s leading centers of finance, culture, and education. But China never fully carried out its commitment to the democratic reform needed to sustain Hong Kong’s wavering autonomy.