Things are not looking too bright in Hong Kong. The press is releasing news of ‘sources’ saying the main figures of the Occupy Central campaign are to be arrested. These include the three Occupy Central proponents Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming, also Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (Next Media) and Lee Cheuk-yan (unionist), the latter who proposed blocking of Central Government Offices. The source said they would be arrested for various felonies from unlawful assembly to provoking public disorder.

Notice no students are on the list.

The first talk between Occupy Students and government officials ended last night in what can be spoken of as a stalemate, yet Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor promised students her office would to prepare and submit a report on Hong Kong’s civic condition to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. The report would also cover Hong Kong people’s instant reaction to the NPC Standing Committee decision of Aug 31 concerning the electoral reforms. Given this submission it would seem that all is not lost.

However, speaking with young people holding fast at Causeway Bay today, one of the Occupy sites, what the government is offering is worthless. The anger is still directed at the Chief Executive who is seen responsible for submitting the original report to Beijing which did not reflect the feelings and thoughts of Hong Kong people in full and in truth. One lad simply stated, seventeen years and nothing.

Though the Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying keeps saying that he cannot change how the elections for his job will be carried out in 2017, it’s difficult to understand why he is so adamant on this point. He could say, well I will submit this as a second or supplementary report to be taken into account following what has taken place since the release of that initial submission as everything changed since that initial release – I could have got it wrong…

It is not a local decision on how Beijing responds so the CE is doing himself no good by insisting that point. He may be playing the role of a buffer, protecting the Beijing government from having to deal with a local affair, but he has lost his support locally and that is worse for Beijing, as he is their man – supposed to be Hong Kong’s man as well of course!

Now come revelations that he is in reality calling the shots for Hong Kong’s tycoons – anyone with a salary of under HK$14,000 should not get a vote (quite a sizeable number which would influence any vote) – and their corporations and his stance belies his working class origins. Given the call for a rejigging of the nomination procedures to at least return to the previous framework, that would satisfy a lot of people – certainly what has taken place (latest election procedures) is seen from the Hong Kong people’s point of view as a step backward, not forward in the democratisation of Hong Kong. Thus the social stir.

A government source said the suggested supplementary electoral reform report can only be submitted to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council. Well, that’s the channel to Beijing’s ear. After all, Beijing might be a tough nut to crack but they also want resolution to this Hong Kong storm. Who knows what can be done by central government? The Hong Kong administration should actively help resolve this conflict not just act out of fear.

Supporters of the students and the young – not the Benny Tai et al Occupy Central proponents who set things off – want them to keep moving forward, to keep up that non-violent methodology of action which the students are manifesting so well. Their actions have provoked Legislators Claudia Mo Man-ching and Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung to staunchly stand their ground between police and occupiers to keep the peace – which is exceptional indeed given that the usual weekend street-action-happy valiants among our law makers have been sidelined by the students heartfelt activities.

To better understand the long term view of the Chinese in charge of things up in Beijing and maybe calm down a bit see this review of President Xi Jinping’s new book, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2014-10/20/content_18770423_2.htm

 

For a recap on the developments of this Hong Kong Umbrella Movement see:

Hong Kong – NED and the stalemate: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/10/hong-kong-ned-stalemate/

Hong Kong, Beijing, seeking a way through: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/10/hong-kong-beijing-seeking-way/

Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/09/hong-kongs-umbrella-revolution/

Hong Kong Students make the grade: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/09/135000/

China – the Soong Dynasty: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/09/china-soong-dynasty/

Hong Kong students boycott classes: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/09/hong-kong-students-boycott-classes/

China and the New Democracy of Mao: http://www.pressenza.com/2014/09/china-new-democracy-mao