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GETTING HONG KONG WRONG


John Clarke
August 13, 2019 


The key left argument against supporting the movement in Hong Kong is that it is a reactionary expression of nostalgia for colonialism that is funded and manipulated by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the CIA. 

Obviously, the view you take of the situation in Hong Kong will be significantly shaped by your view of China. I have to say that I can't really take seriously the position that a march towards socialism is being led by the Chinese Communist Party (with an adroit detour to foreign investment, stock exchanges and billionaires to create the economic basis for a classless society). However, even among those who think the Chinese working class must act independently and challenge the governing regime, there are still disagreements over the Hong Kong movement. 

The best commentary I've seen, some of it from local left sources and people from Hong Kong living abroad, doesn't try to pretend the movement there is without deep contradictions. Hong Kong was taken from China by the British imperialists and there was history of resistance, including and especially the upsurge in 1967. It was developed as a major financial centre and, while the British never allowed democratic elections, stability was maintained with concessions that granted some of the elements of liberal democracy. An independent judiciary, definite rights around free expression and assembly, etc.. 

When British rule ended, the 'one country two systems' arrangement preserved some of the distinct rights. Decades later, the role as a financial centre is in question and Beijing tires of the deal around two systems. Hong Kong elites have created a neoliberal Hell on earth, with inequality at world beating levels and housing costs at impossible levels. An arrogant and corrupt clique is in charge that Beijing supports. This unbearable situation brings forth social resistance and those who resist know that the limited freedoms that are particular to Hong Kong are viewed as inconvenient by the Chinese government and the local ruling clique. The spark was the Extradition Bill and some have smugly suggested this was not really very exceptional. However, the fear was that such a power would be used to remove those who were viewed as political troublemakers and this is why it was responded to as it was. 

There is no question that there is a very reactionary strain of localism in Hong Kong. At its worst, it can take the form of colonial nostalgia, pro-western sentiment and hostility to people from the mainland. I have no doubt that those elements have links to the State Department and that money has changed hands. I have also seen the Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes being carried on protests. However, those who tell me that protests are simply the work of the CIA are being ridiculous. The largest of the protests over the last couple of months involved some two million people. My partner is from Hong Kong and her sister sent us a message from that protest saying it had started out four hours ago and she was still waiting to start marching. If that's the work of the CIA, they have a remarkable skill set to be able to put half of the adult population on the streets. 

The left within the movement has pressed for a greater emphasis on political strike action and to reach out in solidarity to workers in mainland China. Beijing understands very well that, for all the confusion and contradictions, people in Hong Kong are resisting exploitation and inequality. China is a seething cauldron of discontent, with strikes and protests occurring on a huge ongoing scale. As the global downturn bites and Chinese growth levels diminish further, that resistance can become far more dangerous. A resisting Hong Kong can a catalyst in this situation. 

Put as succinctly as I can, these are my reasons for fully supporting the struggle in Hong Kong, warts and all.

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