Agence France-Presse September 1, 2014 3:02pm
(Globalpost/GlobalPost)
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Hong Kong has been plunged into one of the worst political crises since its handover as pro-democracy activists vow to take over the streets of the city's financial district following Beijing's refusal to grant citizens full universal suffrage.
-- Why is the city so divided?
Public discontent in the semi-autonomous city is at its highest for years. Rising inequality, competition for resources with mainlanders and the cost of living are partly to blame.
But the crux of the current crisis revolves around perceived political interference by Beijing and a debate over how the city's next leader will be chosen under planned reforms.
-- What are the differences?
The current chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, and his predecessors were elected by a pro-Beijing committee. China has promised Hong Kong citizens universal suffrage by 2017. But the disagreement centres over the extent of that universal suffrage.
Under Beijing's plan citizens will be allowed to elect their leader with a one person one vote system. But only two or three candidates who have been vetted by a nominating committee will be allowed to stand in the first place.
For most of the pro-democracy camp, those restrictions are unacceptable. They believe a nomination committee would inevitably be stacked in Beijing's favour, disqualifying any candidate critical of the Communist Party, and fly in the face of their definition of true universal suffrage.
-- Who are the pro-democracy activists?
Those pressing for greater suffrage are a mixture of law makers, academics, students and ordinary citizens. Younger generations are generally more active in pro-democracy circles than their parents.
The most prominent group is Occupy Central with Love and Peace, a broad network of activists led by two academics and a pastor who have vowed to launch a civil disobedience campaign, including taking over the city's financial district.
Earlier this year Occupy organised an unofficial referendum in which almost 800,000 citizens voted overwhelmingly in favour of greater democratic freedoms than Beijing is granting.
In an echo of the student-led democracy protests that hit mainland China in 1989, a number of student groups in Hong Kong have also threatened to go on strike later this month.
-- Is everyone behind Occupy?
Far from it. Last month a network of pro-Beijing groups organised an anti-Occupy protest march that drew tens of thousands of people. The demonstration was marred by allegations that some protesters had been paid to attend while others were bussed in from the mainland.
But the scale nonetheless pointed to unease felt by some Hong Kongers -- particularly in the business community -- about the democracy camp's confrontational approach towards Beijing.
A number of businesses have taken out adverts in the local press saying the city's status as an international trading hub is at risk should Occupy go ahead with its takeover.
-- What will happen next?
Unless a compromise is found it is likely Occupy will press ahead with various forms of direct action.
Co-founder Benny Tai said earlier this week that they would start "wave after wave" of protests and acts of civil disobedience, eventually culminating in the occupation of the financial district.
Much will depend on how the authorities respond. Hong Kong's police have said they are adequately prepared for any protests and will not hesitate in arresting anyone committing illegal acts.
Meanwhile, Beijing's version of universal suffrage still needs to be approved by two thirds of the city's legislature after a fresh round of public consultation.
Pan-democrat lawmakers have vowed to vote against the package because it does not go far enough.
But Beijing has insisted that failure to pass its version of universal suffrage by 2017 will result in the city's next leader being chosen as they always have -- by a pro-Beijing committee.
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http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140901/hong-kong-city-divided
