For anyone who hasn’t been paying attention, Atlantic spells out what Hong Kong’s incoming Chief Executive means…
Lee’s elevation is reflective of the distrust and paranoia that has flourished in Beijing and among Hong Kong’s political elites since the 2019 prodemocracy protests, which he helped both trigger and eventually put down.
…Beijing clearly “wants to keep the current level of control,” [City U academic Liu Dongshu says]. This goes far beyond just stopping protests and ridding the legislature of opposition, and extends to dismantling the bonds and shared identity forged among Hong Kongers during the 2019 protests. This week, for example, state media warned that taxi drivers and shops displaying any prodemocracy symbols could be violating the national-security law.
Did anyone entertain any hopes that this ‘struggle’ would settle down, if not pass? But forget it. The paranoia over ‘foreign challenges’ and plots against the PRC government is on display in today’s headlines: a call for the Hong Kong government to use Mainland tech in case of sanctions, a looming clampdown on online crowdfunding, and police deployment of ’saber-tooth tigers’.
As China’s economic and international-relations problems build up, and its post-Covid society is left more isolated from the outside world, Beijing will see more enemies everywhere. Hong Kong’s remaining freedoms and identity are threats to be eliminated – and that job has only just started.
For some light relief: this guy again in China Daily. I’m seriously fascinated by this. What’s the motive? What compensates for the humiliation of having your byline here?
Saber-tooth tigers, as with Cheung Kong Center, reflects the PRC preference for American English. When will we start driving on the other side of the road?
Go China!
Guardian had this piece today. I wonder when a dashed out map encompassing the “historic Chinese claims” to the entire Pacific Ocean from Japan and Oz to South America and the USA’s west coast will be published by Shit Jumping’s MOFA?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/26/five-things-we-learned-about-chinas-ambitions-for-the-pacific-from-the-leaked-deal
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Pink and Stoned gets the notes he needs to pen his spiel sent directly to him from ministerial propaganda echelons via the Liaison Office or whatever flunkie drip feeds that crap to him.
@Stanley
Don’t you know?
To be allowed to drive on the right side of the road in HK is a clear proof of the success of One Country two Systems! Ohh yeah – and using those UK electrical plugs too, although I understand that they have too much of a colonial smell, and who knows, maybe soon a patriot in Legco will make a proposal to get rid of them.
“To be allowed to drive on the right side of the road in HK is a clear proof of the success of One Country two Systems! Ohh yeah – and using those UK electrical plugs too”
Look at this high degree of autonomy in action! Don’t forget that when it comes to waste management HK is on its own and doesn’t need permission from CCP. Truly a master of its own house! HK people ruling HK!
More on the Sabertooth:
“…the Ford F-550 reduces the cost and lead time for spare parts as they are easily attainable through Ford’s global distribution network.”
So the U.S. hasn’t shut down this pipeline?
@Guest: China makes the fugazi parts easily.
Bet the sabertooth kittens still can’t drive over a road littered with brick Stonehenges or break through a polyethylene food wrap barrier, just as the water cannon couldn’t.