The New June 4th Sentiments (Lee Yee)
It is June 4th today. Compared to 31 years ago, this date bears a different meaning to Hongkongers. Despite the obstruction of the government, Hong Kong people will continue to participate in memorial events in various ways, however, no longer with the same sentiments.
In 1989, Hong Kong was uncertain of the future. The city was flooded with immigrants. After the democratic movement in China and the June 4th incident, Hongkongers thought they can maintain the social order and values of Hong Kong in the future through the support of democratic movement in China. 20 years have gone, China has shown no improvement whatsoever and has become increasingly totalitarian instead. The people in China are still inferior, even when some became richer.
At the beginning of the post-handover period, many Hongkongers are content with being a Hong Kong Chinese. Yet as China’s control over Hong Kong became more apparent, the political rights of Hongkongers were hindered. It is also seen that the government policy focuses only on the interest of China. The younger generation of Hong Kong has no hope of seeing democracy in China. That is how localist beliefs arise, when Hongkongers long to have true autonomy. There was a decrease in the number of participants of the June 4th Vigil organised by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, as some boycotted the event for having a “patriotic” theme.
Last year, the “June 4th Incident” happened in Hong Kong. In 1989, The Tiananmen incident happened in one night, miserable as it was, the society calmed down quickly. But the “June 4th” of Hong Kong lingered and tortured the people for almost a year. Police brutality was broadcasted live every day. More than 2,000 bodies were “found”, rumours of rape and torture spread, suppression seemed endless, youngsters were randomly arrested, being young was a sin. The “June 4th” of Hong Kong was far more torturing.
Back then, some of the leaders stood by justice with the students, including the CCP Secretary-General Zhao Ziyang. After the violent sweep, large-scale reform was needed to stabilise the power of the government. Now, the National People’s Congress passed the national security legislation ifor Hong Kong with only 1 voted against, 6 abstentions and 2,878 blindly agreed. Back then, lots of mainland citizens supported the students; now, most of the Mainlanders take pleasure in the demise of Hong Kong.
That year, the movement in China was for the democracy people never had. But the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong was to protect the freedom we have always enjoyed. Though people usually long for what they yet to have, people in China may not be ready to sacrifice for the possibly valuable democracy and freedom. On the contrary, Hongkongers enjoyed freedom and would rather die than to be slaves.
Back then, many in Hong Kong hoped to be “brave Chinese”. Now, most people in China have already alienated those Hongkongers.
When Chinese people set themselves apart from Hongkongers, it is impossible for Hongkongers not to do the same. After half a year of social movement, a survey done at the end of last year showed that 78% interviewees defined themselves as “Hongkongers” (“Hongkonger” or “Hongkonger of China”), 21% regarded themselves as “Chinese” (“Chinese” or “Chinese of Hong Kong”). In the 18-29 age group, as much as 94% of the interviewees identified themselves as “Hongkongers”, while only 5% identified themselves as “Chinese”. The youngsters represent the future of Hong Kong.
With such self-identity, 51% Hong Kong citizens agreed that Hongkongers are responsible for the democratic development in Mainland China, as shown in the latest June 4th survey. The number dropped 10% compared to last year.
Do Hongkongers still have the hope for democracy in China? Still dreaming of a greater China? I don’t think so. From the anti-extradition movement last year to the national security law this year, Hongkongers, especially the young, are determined to confront the CCP anyhow. Is the CCP against democracy? We are still going to bring democracy to China regardless.
The U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo said, for the first time in 30 years, the Hong Kong government had rejected a Tiananmen vigil. If there was any doubt about Beijing’s intention, it was to decline Hongkongers of their voice and choice, making them the same as Mainlanders. The “Two Systems” is over.
When Hongkongers are banned from participating, they have a stronger wish to participate so to show their determination to have free choices and against being enslaved. For Hongkongers, the Tiananmen Massacre is no longer only a Chinese matter, but also a Hong Kong matter. The new sentiment for June 4 is freedom, autonomy, anti-communism. This is our consensus.
(Lee Yee, a prominent political commentator in Hong Kong who embarked on a career of writing and subediting in 1956, has been contributing unremittingly political commentaries to the local press.)
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