City Beat | One country, two protests – two consequences?

Hongkongers watched as authorities in Huazhou quickly quelled massive protests by making significant concessions

But Hong Kong may face the awkward dilemma of where to stand between the US and China, politically and economically

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Anti-government protesters march from Causeway Bay to Central on Sunday, the eve of the six-month anniversary of Hong Kong’s political crisis. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 8:42pm, 8 Dec 2019Updated: 9:44pm, 8 Dec 2019

Could protests force authorities to change their minds? Yes or no, depending on different considerations under different circumstances.

Over the past week, when Hongkongers saw authorities in the city of Huazhou, in neighbouring Guangdong province, quickly quell massive protests by making significant concessions, some couldn’t help asking why Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor wouldn’t do something similar here, though the two cities’ situations cannot be compared directly.

Trouble broke out in Huazhou over a government plan to build a crematorium, leading to clashes between local residents and riot police who fired tear gas and detained around 100 people.

While Hongkongers and people overseas watched with amazement at the now all-too-familiar scenes of protesters and police clashing amid clouds of tear gas, even more remarkable was the speed at which the crisis was resolved. The local public security bureau announced that all those arrested would be released, with medical compensation for the injured, and the crematorium plan was, of course, scrapped.

Protests broke out in Guangdong province over a government plan to build a crematorium. Photo: Handout

Guangdong authorities have apparently learned some lessons from Hong Kong. They must understand too well that a single spark can start a prairie fire if the situation is not contained.

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City Beat | One country, two protests – two consequences?