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The future of peace in Hong Kong
The escalation of mass protests in Hong Kong should give us a cause for concern
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span>The escalation of mass protests in Hong Kong should give us a cause for concern. The protracted antigovernment demonstrations, initially against the extradition bill, have turned violent, damaged public facilities and created serious security threats.
This critical situation should be viewed as China’s political policy resistance and negotiation in Hong Kong special territory, especially on the extradition bill. However, the fact that this political chaos is closely related to the political-economy conflict on a broader scale cannot be ignored. Hong Kong has become a center of negotiation among various economic interests.
Although the bill has been canceled, reflective notes are worthy of consideration.
In responding to the Hong Kong affair, the media tends to blame China’s policy. Democracy and human rights are the narratives to corner Beijing. On the other hand, the government in mainland China says the Hong Kong brouhaha is related to the West’s interference.
The mainstream media views the protests as an attempt to seize Beijing’s grip on the political economy of Hong Kong. It is equally important, however, to delve into China’s point of view to understand how the Hong Kong issue will unfold.
History shows China is a country that has never colonized other countries. In line with its political vision, China has consistently refrained from meddling with the domestic political issues of other countries.
China’s great success in economic development has indeed amazed the world, but at the same time, it has sparked worries among developed countries. China has traveled a long and winding road in economic development to reach its current rank as a new economic superpower. China’s breakthroughs have shifted the global economic landscape, if not dominance.
The Chinese political system is imbued and driven by Confucianism, which promotes cooperation over intervention. Unsurprisingly, China has helped many developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia to enter the era of advanced technology and advanced urban infrastructure. This massive Chinese assistance could be seen as its commitment to shared prosperity that will ultimately result in stability and world peace.
Both interference and violence contradict the spirit of respect for human rights.
Partnership and cooperation with many countries is China’s implementation of Confucianism, but achieving this partnership vision has sometimes met unwanted responses. The six-month-old Hong Kong protests testify how China’s adversaries seek paths to fish in the murky waters, at least as shown in a report in Asia Times of a petition requesting a “United Nations investigation into the United States’ involvement in Hong Kong riots”.
Accusations of United States intervention in the Hong Kong demonstrations perhaps stem from the fact that the antigovernment protests come on the heels of trade tensions between China and the US.
Fundamental Chinese policies owe their origin from the country’s long-held traditional philosophy of Confucianism. For example, it teaches warm and peaceful dialogue as a family in order to find the best solution to every problem. The warmth of love in Chinese families is manifested in the tradition of eating together around a large round table.
China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are big families. Thus, as big families, all members are eager to sit down and eat together as a way to foster love. The three share the same cultural roots and ancestors. Unity will bring strength to them, while conflict will lead to their downfall.
When it comes to international relations, Confucianism has sent one important message: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. The principle simply teaches that conflict and war, which lead to the destruction of a nation, start from the loss of human empathy. The loss of empathy is the beginning of the loss of human values.
The message speaks volumes of mutual respect. In its engagement with the international community, China has been promoting mutual respect in a bid to develop genuine relationships.
Nevertheless, whether or not foreign intervention can be substantiated, resistance to the extradition bill should be resolved by relevant parties, such as the Hong Kong administrative government and the Chinese government. Should other parties express good intentions to help find a way out, they could advise the Hong Kong and Chinese governments and let them make a decision.
Both interference and violence contradict the spirit of respect for human rights. Using human rights for hegemonic political interests is actually a form of grave violations of the basic principles of human rights itself.
The basic principle of human rights is respect for the rights of others. Respecting other people’s human rights is a major contribution to the promotion of human rights principles.
In this sense, in order for peace to return to Hong Kong, all parties must respect Beijing and the Hong Kong administrative government by avoiding interference in the domestic affairs of the special region.
