Hong Kong protests and its potential impacts on Vietnam

8/10/14


As Hong Kong protests have subsided we now should review what impacts it could make to Vietnam.
The 2014 Hong Kong protests, also referred to as the Umbrella Revolution, began in September 2014 when anti-government advocates in Hong Kong protested outside the government headquarters and occupied several major city intersections after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) announced its decision on proposed electoral reform. Instead of allowing civil nominations, the NPCSC made it clear that a 1200-member nominating committee, which would remain nominated by the business factions and strictly controlled by Beijing, would elect two to three electoral candidates with more than half of the votes before the general public can vote upon, which is seen as effectively screening out any pro-democracy candidate.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism began protesting outside the government headquarters on 22 September 2014 against the NPCSC's decision. On the evening of 26 September, several hundred demonstrators breached a security barrier and entered the forecourt of the Central Government Complex, which was once a public space that has been barred from public entry since July 2014. Officers cordoned off protesters within the courtyard and restricted their movement overnight, eventually removing them by force the next day. Occupy Central announced that they would begin their civil disobedience campaign immediately. On 28 September, protesters blocked both east-west arterial routes in northern Hong Kong Island near Admiralty. Apparent rough-handling by police, including the unnecessary use of tear gas, and attacks on protesters in Mong Kok by opponents that included triad members, triggered more citizens joining the protests. The government set 6 October as a 'deadline' for the protests to end, but this was ignored by protesters, although they allowed government workers to enter offices that had previously been blocked. At least, as an optimistic sign, Hong Kong government officials and protesters agreed to negotiate, and talks will be held soon.
Let’s see. Hong Kong protests obviously have global impacts not just in Asia. International support for the movement is increasing, and the movement itself is taking shape in a more structured manner, even with its own logo for the protest. The 'Umbrella revolution' symbol is being shared on Twitter throughout the world.[60] A photo of a man holding an umbrella in the tear gas smoke has been likened to as the new Tank Man by the Western media.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Ban “understands that this is a domestic matter, but urges all stakeholders to resolve any differences in a manner that is peaceful and safeguards democratic principles.”
The EU expressed concern on 2 October over demonstrations in Hong Kong and called on all sides to stay calm as a protester deadline for the island's embattled leader to resign loomed. "We have been concerned about events in Hong Kong and are closely monitoring developments," a spokeswoman for the EU's diplomatic service said. "In the light of the ongoing demonstrations, we welcome the restraint shown by both sides. We urge all sides to continue to exercise this restraint."
A White House statement following a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said "the United States has consistently supported the open system that is essential to Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, universal suffrage, and the aspirations of the Hong Kong people."
Vietnam’s response is quite noticeable. The Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said these were "internal affairs for China". But Vietnam government has allowed state-controlled media to report on mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, with one newspaper even carrying the profile of a student leader of the unprecedented campaign.
Vietnam’s official Thanh Nien newspaper has routinely covered the five days of Hong Kong protests championing democratic elections, and recently ran a popularly-received profile on 17-year-old student leader Joshua Wong, who has become the unlikely face of the demonstrations, known as the “Umbrella Revolution.”
A number of other state-run newspapers, including Dan Tri, Nguoi Lao Dong and Giao Duc, as well as online news sites VNexpress, VNeconomy and VietnamNet, have also run articles covering the protests.
But would that be so risky! Emboldened by pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Vietnamese democratic activists are rallying for demonstrations against the government’s plans to hold an elaborate celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Hanoi’s liberation from French rule. Meanwhile, nearly two dozen Vietnamese activist groups issued a statement Tuesday expressing the hope that the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement would serve as inspiration for freedom-loving people in their one-party communist state.
Apparently, the week-long peaceful pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong will have a lasting impact on human rights not only in the semiautonomous Chinese territory and China but also across the world.
However, don’t you be worried, because the situation in Hong Kong is different from Vietnam’s. Our electoral system has been operating smoothly and democratically, which received nation-wide support of our people, and there will be no chance something like that would happen in Vietnam./.
Chia sẻ bài viết ^^
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All comments [ 10 ]


yobro yobro 8/10/14 20:41

From the begining, I know this movement couldn't last long, just some students can't push back the stream.

Gentle Moon 8/10/14 20:43

We have been concerned about events in Hong Kong and are closely monitoring developments.

Voice of people 8/10/14 20:46

Don't be foolish to be puppets for others to control!

Vietnam Love 8/10/14 20:50

We should stay alert to any plot that takes advantages of these event to incite and provoke people to protests against authorities.

John Smith 8/10/14 20:51

The state-run Chinese media claimed that the West had played an "instigating" role and that "more people in Hong Kong are supporting the anti-Occupy Central movement," and warned of "deaths and injuries and other grave consequences" if the protests continue.

For A Peace World 8/10/14 20:53

So pity for China's authority! they should mind their own business before thinking of taking the South China Sea.

LawrenceSamuels 8/10/14 20:57

Hostile forces could use this event as an inspiration for their own purposes.

Socialist Society 8/10/14 21:00

Yes, I think our electoral system is more democratic than Hong Kong's, so our situation is definitely different from them.

Red Star 8/10/14 21:01

Neither Beijing nor Hong Kong will benefit from a prolonged standoff, the protests themselves are rooted in economic disparities and resentment.

Me Too! 8/10/14 21:04

Don't let reactionary elements take these as an example to hold protests that damage our economy, stability and safety.

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