City Beat | Carrot or stick? Fingers crossed for Beijing’s next move in Hong Kong’s extradition bill crisis

All eyes will be on top leaders’ upcoming Beidaihe get-together, where Hong Kong is expected to be among key priorities

Events in the city and in Xinjiang reflect a hard reality for Beijing to face: economic incentives will not work without winning the hearts and minds of local people

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Protesters march in one of many shows of public discontent with the government’s now-suspended extradition bill. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 4:31pm, 21 Jul 2019Updated: 9:26pm, 21 Jul 2019

Beijing’s relatively low-profile approach to the political crisis that has engulfed Hong Kong over recent weeks has prompted quite a bit of speculation.

Political pundits in town and up north have interpreted this “wait and see” stance as indicating that the country’s top leadership prefers that this messy situation be dealt with by Hong Kong itself, rather than the central government being dragged into it, even if there is no sign so far of any quick end to the unprecedented social divisions.

Naturally, many are guessing what Beijing will do next if the impasse continues.

One recent move may provide some clues to Beijing’s thinking in dealing with highly sensitive and thorny issues amid domestic and international pressures.

Wang Yang (centre) visits Xinjiang province, where he oversees affairs. Photo: Xinhua

State media last week reported a high-level working meeting on the country’s restive Xinjiang region. A new title – head of the ruling party’s leading group on Xinjiang – was revealed for Wang Yang, one of the seven members who make up the Communist Party’s core leadership.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}City Beat | Carrot or stick? Fingers crossed for Beijing’s next move in Hong Kong’s extradition bill crisis

City Beat | Carrot or stick? Fingers crossed for Beijing’s next move in Hong Kong’s extradition bill crisis