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Thursday, 2 October 2014

Pro-democracy protests at Hong Kong

Pro-democracy protesters have occupied the streets of Hong Kong. China is facing the worst political crisis ever since Tianmen Square in 1989.

China took control of erstwhile British Colony in 1997 under "one country two systems" formula. Hong Kong residents enjoy far more autonomy and freedom than available to the residents of Mainland China.

On August 31, China decreed that it would vet potential candidates wishing to run in Hong Kong's 2017 election. For this China has formulated a committee of pro-Beijing tycoons. Some protesters are calling for Leung Chun-ying to step down.

Protests begin with students protesters have soon escalated to involve residents and political activists. While China is concerned about protests impacting similar demands in Mainland China apart from disrupting Hong Kong, they are not inclined to come down too hard due to global visibility.

The protests are being called Occupy Central with Love and Peace - simply called Occupy Central.

Nut-shell

The pro-democracy populace of Hong-Kong (mostly young people) are demanding that

  1. The Hong-Kong leader Leung Chun-ying, step down by end of Thursday failing which they will occupy government buildings. Leung was appointed by Beijing.
  2. China introduces full democracy in the region so that the city can freely choose its leader.
The protests are worst in Hong Kong since China resumed its rule of former British Colony in 1997. 

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