James Stuber, Contributor, The American Dossier
What does the future hold for Hong Kong and the protests?
Two indefatigable forces are in play. First, the desire of Hong Kong citizens, especially the younger generation, for liberty and constitutional rule of law. Second, the determination of the Chinese Communist Party leadership to bring all peoples within China’s putative borders under Chinese Han culture and Communist political, economic, and social doctrine.
This “Sinicization” and communist indoctrination will certainly occur after 2047, when the fifty years of “one country, two systems” is scheduled to end. The Chinese leadership could have placated the current protesters and played the long game toward 2047. But Chinese leaders are not waiting until then.
The Party leadership already were undermining the “one country, two systems” principle. For example, the evening news already is broadcast in the Mandarin of Beijing, not the Cantonese of Hong Kong, and textbooks already are extolling the virtues of “socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Now, having failed to finesse the protesters’ demands regarding the extradition bill, the Chinese leadership are facing increasing demands. They are loath to set an example of acceding to them in response to the protests, for fear of encouraging similar unrest on the mainland.
Suppressing the protests by force will lead to world disapprobation and economic dislocation. However, Hong Kong now accounts for three percent of China’s gross domestic product – what once was indispensable is now expendable. I believe the Communist leadership will do what it takes to bring the Hong Kong citizenry to heel, at whatever the cost, to avoid a precedent for the mainland, and to achieve the control they certainly will assert after 2047 in any event.
I would be pleased if I am mistaken. If I am correct, perhaps Hong Kong’s loss will be Taiwan’s gain, as the world stiffens its spine in support of the Taiwanese against the Sinicization and subsuming of Taiwan.
Jim Stuber is the author of the recent book, What if Things Were Made in America Again: How Consumers Can Rebuild the Middle Class by Buying Things Made in American Communities.
In the book, Jim assesses the problem caused by sending American jobs overseas and
describes how consumers can solve it. Toward that end, Jim has founded a non-profit
organization, Made in America Again, with the goal of bringing home $500 billion in consumer spending, enough to balance trade and create six million jobs. Jim has kindly agreed to share his insights with The American Dossier from time to time.
For more information please visit: www.madeinamericaagain.org