Hi, I just wanted to keep you up to date with what is the latest news coming out of China since late last month. I found out about this a few days ago and decided to share it with you.
Tens and thousands of protesters have converged on several streets in Hong Kong. These massive protests mainly consisting of University students have led to clashes between the protesters and the police. The movement that is referred to as the "Umbrella Revolution" began with the boycotting of classes on September 22nd. Since the arrest of a fellow student, Joshua Wong, 17, the boycotts soon escalated into protests on September 28th. They are referred to as the "Umbrella Revolution" because they used umbrellas to protect them from the downpour of rain as well as a shield against the tear gas administered by the riot police.
The reason for the protest is that Leung Chun-ying, who is the current Chief Executive of Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region refuses to allow the people from Hong Kong to vote for the post of Chief Executive in the 2017 elections. (The citizens of Hong Kong have never been allowed to vote in these elections). Candidates for those elections are usually screened by a committee consisting mainly of party supporters. China's president, Xi Jinping is also quoted as saying that he also does not want any, "Western style democracy within China's borders". These protests have begun to negatively affect tourism, also causing horrific traffic jams. It is also important to note that the Chinese government have blocked all posts on anything relating to the protests or any mention of what's happening in Hong Kong on many of China's popular social networking sites especially Weibo, which can be considered China's version of Twitter.
These protests are reminiscent of similar protests for democracy in Tiananmen Square in Beijing back in 1989. That protest was said to have approximately one million people where not only protesters but also supporters of the protesters gathered and even brought food and clothing for them. Unfortunately, it seems as though this present protests which started last month has reached an impasse with no sign of a resolution in the near future.
Protesters and police clash in Hong Kong
(Photograph taken from dnaindia.com)
Protesters in Hong Kong
(Photograph taken from online.wsj.com)
China's President, Xi Jinping
(Photograph taken from thehindubusinessline.com)
.jpg)
Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of Hong Kong
(Photograph taken from wikipedia.org)
Protesters in Beijing in 1989
(Photograph taken from online.wsj.com)Information about the protests was taken from the two following articles:-
Economist Article
Vice News Article
6 comments:
This is good information. I like being in the know, especially with things like this! Very interesting!
Hey Thanks Roxanne!
Well done GAYLE once again you show a lot of yourself improving each time on your hunger to learn teach and educate others about what's going on in the world today well done thumbs up to your amazing and hard work done.
I have to say well done to the citizens of China those involve in this "Umbrella Revolution" those wearing their facemasks, goggles, and saran wrap, the suited clothing in this movement to protect themselves from the police and those in authority, Trinidad and Tobago citizens need to adapt some of these methods and fight for what they want if they want to see change in the way this current administration is running the country because the country is getting worst.
Post a Comment