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Hong Kong: The Forefront Of The US-China Trade War
Hong Kong’s summer of discontent has already lasted for sixteen consecutive weeks. Protests were triggered in early June by a widely repudiated Extradition Bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects in Hong Kong to be tried in China. What began in peaceful demonstrations have escalated into violence and urban guerrillas over the past months.
The bill was finally withdrawn several weeks ago, but tabling it is only one of the five demands laid out by the people, including an investigation into police brutality, amnesty of all arrested protesters, retracting the characterization of the protests as “riots” and the implementation of universal suffrage in the Chief Executive and Legislative Council elections. Despite the regional government’s belated attempt to quell the havoc, the unrest, which has now evolved into a greater movement calling for democracy and autonomy, shows no sign of stopping.
The withdrawal does not guarantee a victory for the Hongkongers, as the once safest city in Asia is turning into a terrifying police state. Arbitrary attacks on civilians, mass arrests, alleged collusion with gangsters, sexual assault, torturing and unrestricted use of lethal weapons have spurred public fury.
Amnesty International Hong Kong has issued reports on police brutality while calling for an investigation…
