“A sad moment,” “turmoil,” a “rejection of democracy” – this is how the Chinese government is characterizing the Hong Kong’s Legislative Council’s vote against Beijing’s undemocratic electoral reform “package” for the territory. That proposal would have allowed Hong Kong people to vote for their top leader, but only among candidates pre-approved by Beijing, effectively taking away their right to nominate candidates.
This isn’t the first time Hong Kong has rejected controversial proposals emanating from Beijing. It successfully pushed back against attempts to pass national security legislation in 2003 and adopt “patriotic education” programs in 2012.
But this vote took on a particular resonance: it follows years of efforts by people in Hong Kong to engage peacefully in debates, public consultations, and massive demonstrations about their future under Chinese rule, only to have much of that discussion ignored. Some mainland Chinese are unsympathetic, seeing the Hong Kong people as unreasonably finicky about what’s on offer – after all, to the extent a tiny minority of people in the mainland ever get to cast a ballot, it’s in an utterly controlled process that does not merit the term “election.”
And the vote comes at a time when all manner of human rights, particularly any semblance of the right to political participation, are rapidly eroding on the mainland – including for those who have supported the progress of democracy in Hong Kong, hoping someday they may enjoy the same freedoms. The latest push back also comes as much of the world has wearied of trying to argue with Beijing or is cowed by its rise – so much so that diplomats from democracies like the UK have gone as far as to say Hong Kong should accept Beijing’s proposal in hopes of a better deal in the future.
In the face of all of these pressures, it has been extraordinary to observe many Hong Kong people and legislators defend basic principles. It’s true the rejection of this package leaves Hong Kong with its current undemocratic electoral framework intact, and with Beijing flatly refusing to consider any of the many alternative proposals put forward. Hong Kong people who want real democracy – the right to run and the right to vote – will have to fight on, but it’s clear they have the stomach for the battle. Those who claim to champion democracy worldwide should applaud this fight.
