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Letters | Hong Kong protests put successes of ‘one country, two systems’ under threat
- The British did their best to secure Hong Kong’s future through the ‘one country, two system’s model, an arrangement China has maintained
- Destroying property, challenging the police and creating chaos will elicit a strong reaction from the police anywhere in the world, including in democracies
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I read with interest Tony Johnson’s letter, “Activists know well the price they must pay” (September 20). While Mr Johnson feels he can speak for Mr Li Ka-shing’s “in-depth understanding” and knowledge of “an incompetent unfeeling government”, I don’t recall Mr Li conveying this view.
The British handover of Hong Kong to China was never up for negotiation with the local population. Hong Kong was taken from China by Britain at gunpoint. When the leases ended, the territories held by the British were to return to China. So, like it or not, Hong Kong is a part of China. “Consultation”with the local people was never a possibility. To suggest this is politically naive.
Britain certainly did not approach the handover of Hong Kong to China in an unfeeling or incompetent manner, as suggested by Mr Johnson. In fact, much was achieved with the “one country, two systems” of government agreement.
Hong Kong’s last governor, Chris Patten, did his best to achieve extra autonomy and democratic freedoms for Hong Kong. He didn’t get very far, but the first 22 years of “one country, two systems” have been a success.
From the terrible uncertainty of what could have happened when Hong Kong had to be returned to China has emerged a progressive, safe environment, much financial success across the community, improved standards of living and a city that is the envy of much of the world. Now, the final 28 years could be under threat.
To see protesters filing by the US embassy, waving the American flag and asking for President Donald Trump’s help is so silly as to beggar belief.
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