Reintegration of Hong Kong into Mainland China

One of the world’s most thriving cosmopolitan cities is found in Hong Kong, which is situated on China’s southeast shore. The city gained its independence from mainland China after the Qing dynasty was defeated in the opium war with Britain in 1842, forcing it to cede the region. Hong Kong had long served as a commercial hub where Europeans had traveled to engage in trade, making it of strategic importance even before the conflict. The region developed into a hub for foreign trade while it was under British rule. Many immigrants who entered the country mainly from China led to the growth of the population in the area, a move that culminated in the launch of Hong Kong as manufacturing hub. There was also a rejuvenation of the economy. The city enjoys great autonomy from mainland China, freedom of speech, the rule of law, freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and a capitalistic system. Over the years there has been extensive debate over the Hong Kong’s sovereignty, its relationship with Mainland China and the need for integration. There are different sides to the issue of Hong Kong’s integration with mainland China that touch on the city’s history, economy, and culture, and have a bearing on the territory’s future.

Some pundits argue that the integration of Hong Kong with mainland China is crucial to its economic development. According to them, the old drivers of Hong Kong’s economy are far gone. Mainland China emerged stronger compared to China during the global economic recession. While Hong Kong’s economy grew at a figure of 6 per cent, China’s was growing at almost twice that figure. Since the global economic recession, Hong Kong’s economy seems to have grown weaker. In 2012, the country recorded a 2.8 percent growth, with the figure dropping further in 2013 to 2.5 percent. Hong Kong’s economy seems to rely heavily on trade and tourism with the mainland. The growth of the economy also relies on the performance of the mainland Chinese economy. Trade policies implemented by mainland China especially those concerning exports and imports have a significant bearing on Hong Kong’s economic performance. Given that most of the tourists visiting Hong Kong are mainly from China, policies the implantation of policies that appear to demonize China may discourage their visit to Hong Kong resulting in offensive behavior that is bound to see a drop in tourist numbers. For this reason, greater integration with the mainland will serve as a boost to the Hong Kong economy.

The reintegration of Hong Kong back into mainland China poses the question of how the two systems of governance will relate. Hong seems to have adopted a westernized system of democracy that is a sharp contrast to China’s conservative system. However, Hong argues that its system is a different model of governance that draws from elements of both the western style of governance and China’s governance system, a concoction that it believes is the best suited for the two territories going forward. Hong Kong residents are worried about the future of their democracy in a post integrated Hong Kong and China. The transfer of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to China in 1997 marked an era of adjustments to adopt a system that would help both parties to the integration come to an understanding that was to enable peaceful coexistence. Following the deal, there was an adoption of the principle of one country two systems where the Hong Kong government was is free to manage most of its affairs except for those relating to the military and those touching on issues to do with foreign affairs. Those rooting for democracy in Hong Kong have for most of the time since the inception of the 1997 system, decried a blow to democracy that comes with the integration. Mainland China has tried to ensure that it does away with pro-democracy ideals in Hong Kong and strengthen its control over the area.

Things turned out different from what was set out in the agreement between China mainland, Britain and Hong Kong. Mainland China has gone against some of the arrangements set out in the deal. Against a promise not to interfere in Hong Kong’s political affairs, it has asserted its influence on the region’s leadership and political system. China’s National People’s Congress institute a measure that would see all nominees in Hong Kong’s elections undergo vetting by a committee whose membership leans towards Beijing that would approve those who will be allowed to contests the major elective posts. The action in complete violation of the agreement reached upon during Britain’s cessation of control over Hong Kong. With the implementation of the measure, pro-democracy political aspirants have little chance of passing through the vetting process and running for political office.Hong Kong’s way life may soon come to an end if China is to continue with its aggressive plan to alter the political space in the former British colony. The events provide a test to the ability of Hong Kong’s political culture to prevail even in the face of influence from Beijing. China’s reputation across the globe is also at stake. The world is keenly is watching its actions to determine whether it chooses between nationalism or globalization in an era where the world is becoming interconnected with the decisions of any single country affecting its ability to relate and trade with other nations the world over. Even with China’s determination to change the political scene in Hong Kong, there are activists in the region who are not letting Mainland China have its way without a fight.

Activist networks are taking root in Hong Kong are keen on restoring the territories glory. Occupy Central, an activist group named after the territory’s downtown has been the most aggressive. Beijing has expressed fears that the group’s ideals and activities may spread its influence might spread into the mainland and lead uprisings that may serve to destabilize China. Beijing chose to crack down on protesters and decimate their activities. According to the officials in Mainland China, allowing the protests to grow would result in a situation where it will be seen as being weak and susceptible to cracking under pressure. Failing to stop protests would also in the view of the officials result in a situation whereby other activist groups feel encouraged to expand their activities to pile too much pressure on the government. Since the passage of the 1997’s one country two system rule, Hong Kong’s leadership has been seen to an easy target of Influence from Beijing. During the 2014 protests in downtown Hong Kong, the local government sought the mainland’s help in protecting government buildings and quelling down protestors. The sight China’s military vehicles, a rare spectacle initially, was a clear indication as to the extent to which Mainland China had infiltrated the Hong Kong leadership. It remains debatable the extent to which the residents of Hong Kong and more so those who are of the Occupy Central movement will be willing to in their hope of limiting Beijing’s activities in the region in the face of increased show and use of force by Beijing

Clearly, there are different angles to Hong Kong’s integration with mainland China that are affected by the city’s history, economy, and culture, with an implication on the territory’s future. Some of the economic challenges facing Hong Kong seem better managed in a situation of greater integration of the region with the mainland. As the territory’s economy suffered some of its worst times, China appeared to prosper, growing at double digits. Hong relies on China for a significant amount of its revenue. However, the reintegration poses numerous challenges for the region. In the deal reached upon by the British, Hong Kong and China, the internationalization culture of Hong Kong was to be respected by China. China seems to have changed tune, and Hong Kong residents are dismayed by the move. The dissatisfaction of the citizens is seen in the constant protests in Hong Kong. For fear of increased uprisings and their spread, the Chinese government has resorted to the use of force in stopping the protests. The success of the protests is pegged on the willingness of the activists to stand up to Beijing given its increased use of force and show of military might.

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