Press-cut exercise 3 Sep 29

Hong Kong's democracy debatePro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have reacted angrily after Beijing ruled out open nominations for the election of Hong Kong's leader in 2017. The BBC takes a look at the controversy.

Name: _________________ Class: _____ ( )

Q1: What is Hong Kong's relationship with China?

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain. China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years. As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.

Its leader, the chief executive, is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the representatives are viewed as pro-Beijing. Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, says that "the ultimate aim" is to elect the chief executive "by universal suffrage".

Q2: So what has changed?

The Chinese government has promised direct elections for chief executive by 2017.But in August 2014 China's top legislative committee ruled that voters will only have a choice from a list of two or three candidates selected by a nominating committee. This committee would be formed "in accordance with" Hong Kong's largely pro-Beijing election committee. Any candidate would have to secure the support of more than 50% of the nominating committee before being able to run in the election. Democracy activists believe China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.

Q3: Who is leading the debate?

Occupy Central, led by academic Benny Tai, organised the unofficial referendum on political reform which was held from 20 to 29 June 2014. Voters were asked to choose from three proposals for the 2017 election, all of which involved allowing citizens to choose who to nominate as a candidate for the top job. A total of 792,808 voters cast ballots. Activists claimed the high turnout - about one in five registered voters - showed they had strong backing from the public.

Shortly after the vote, tens of thousands of protesters took part in what observers say was Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy rally in a decade.

The demonstration took place on 1 July, which marked the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. 1

Q4: Does everyone want full democracy?

No. Pro-Beijing groups, such as Silent Majority for Hong Kong and Caring Hong Kong Power have emerged, criticising pro-democracy activists for "endangering" the city. They argue that continued civil disobedience and opposition to Beijing would only damage the city's reputation and economy, as well as its relationship with China. These groups have organised several protests against Occupy Central and the pro-democracy movement. Its biggest event, held on 17 August, was attended by thousands.

The rally was unusual as large-scale pro-government protests are rare in Hong Kong. Several questioned its legitimacy, especially when reports emerged that some marchers were paid to attend. Business leaders, who favour stability, have also opposed pro-democracy protests, and a recent survey by Hong Kong University showed more Hong Kong residents viewed China positively than negatively.

Pro-China legislators have argued that Beijing's proposals are an improvement on the current system.The demonstration took place on 1 July, which marked the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.

Q5: What is the Hong Kong government's stand?

Chief Executive CY Leung hailed Beijing's decision on election candidacy as a "major step forward in the development of Hong Kong's society". His government had said June's unofficial referendum had no legal standing. It also welcomed the Chinese government's white paper, saying that Hong Kong has benefited from the "one country, two systems" model.

In a report submitted to Beijing in July, Mr Leung said that mainstream Hong Kong society agreed with Beijing on how electoral reform should proceed. The report was based on public consultation with the Hong Kong public. But it drew fire from pro-democracy activists who said Mr Leung had misrepresented public opinion.

Q6: What's next?

Following Beijing's ruling on election candidacy, Occupy Central's Benny Tai said that dialogue had come to an end. He said that there would be an "era of civil disobedience", including a mass sit-in to be organised in the Central financial district. Organisers have said they will hold a protest on 1 October.

On 22 September, student groups began a week-long boycott of classes. More than 13,000 students took part on the first day, converging on the Chinese University of Hong Kong campus. Activists held lectures and rallies at a city centre park later in the week. The Hong Kong government must still discuss Beijing's election ruling and formulate a bill to be passed by Hong Kong's legislature.

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Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Answer questions 1-3 based on the information in Q1.

1. Why was Hong Kong handed back to China?

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why does Hong Kong enjoy its own legal system and rights such as freedom of assembly?

___________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to the Basic Law, what is the goal of the method of CE election?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Fill in the blanks based on the information in Q2. Pay attention to the parts of speech.

4. The Chinese government once promised to have a ____________ election on or before 2017. But in

August this year, China ruled that Hongkongers could ____________ from a list of 2 or 3 candidates chosen

by a nominating committee, which would be formed according to ____________ election committee. If one

wants to run in the election, s/he has to gain about ____________ of the nominating committee, which is

believed to be a method for the Chinese government to ____________ __________ undesirable candidates.

Answer question 5 based on the information in Q3.

5. Occupy Central held an unofficial referendum from 20-29 June 2014.

a) What did the voters have to choose? ____________________________________________________

b) How many people voted? ____________________________

c) According to the activists, what did the high number of voters show?

_________________________________________________________________________

d) What happened right after the referendum?

_________________________________________________________________________

Answer questions 6-7 based on the information in Q4.

6. Name the groups which criticize pro-democracy activists.

___________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why do some people feel that the protests against Occupy central unusual?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________3

Answer questions 8-9 based on the information in Q5.

8. How did CY Leung react to Beijing’s decision on election candidacy and unofficial referendum

respectively?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

9. Why did pro-democracy activists disagree with the report submitted to Beijing in July?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Answer questions 10-11 based on the information in Q6.

10. What activities are considered “civil disobedience” according to Benny Tai?

___________________________________________________________________________________

11. Why did activists held lectures and rallies at a city center park in the week of 22 September?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Answer the questions 12-13 based on the information below.

12. What were the risks the protestors facing at the scene in Admiralty?

___________________________________________________________________________________

13. Why do you think the protestors took the risks to get there? Answer in 60 words.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Answer questions 1-3 based on the information in Q1.

1. Why was Hong Kong handed back to China?

28/9 News from Admiralty under the Occupy Central campaign

6.02pm: Just before 6pm police fired tear gas has been fired into Harcourt Road, scattering protesters. Police have fired three volleys of the gas, but the wind has blown the smoke plume back towards the police line.5.50pm: Police have warned that they will "use a higher degree to force" if crowds do not calm down.

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Because an agreement between China and Britain was signed in 1984.

2. Why does Hong Kong enjoy its own legal system and rights such as freedom of assembly?

Because China agreed to govern HK under the principal of “one country, two systems”.

3. According to the Basic Law, what is the goal of the method of CE election?

It is to elect the CE “by universal suffrage”.

Fill in the blanks based on the information in Q2. Pay attention to the parts of speech.

4. The Chinese government once promised to have a direct election on or before 2017. But in August this

year, China ruled that Hongkongers could choose from a list of 2 or 3 candidates chosen by a nominating

committee, which would be formed according to pro-Beijing election committee. If one wants to run in

the election, s/he has to gain about half of the nominating committee, which is believed to be a method

for the Chinese government to screen out undesirable candidates.

Answer question 5 based on the information in Q3.

5. Occupy Central held an unofficial referendum from 20-29 June 2014.

a) What did the voters have to choose? Voters were asked to choose from three proposals for the 2017

election

b) How many people voted? 792,808 people voted.

c) According to the activists, what did the high number of voters show?

It showed they had strong backing from the public.

Answer questions 6-7 based on the information in Q4.

6. Name the groups which criticize pro-democracy activists.

Silent Majority for Hong Kong and Caring Hong Kong are those groups.

7. Why do some people feel that the protests against Occupy central unusual?

Because several questioned its legitimacy, especially when reports emerged that some marchers

were paid to attend.

Answer questions 8-9 based on the information in Q5.

8. How did CY Leung react to Beijing’s decision on election candidacy and unofficial referendum

respectively?

He hailed Beijing's decision on election candidacy as a "major step forward in the development of

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Hong Kong's society", but saying the unofficial referendum had no legal standing.

9. Why did pro-democracy activists disagree with the report submitted to Beijing in July?

Because they said Mr Leung had misrepresented public opinion.

Answer questions 10-11 based on the information in Q6.

10. What activities are considered “civil disobedience” according to Benny Tai?

A mass sit-in and a protest are the examples.

11. Why did activists held lectures and rallies at a city center park in the week of 22 September?

Because those are the follow-ups of the week-long boycott of classes organized by the student groups.

Answer the questions 12-13 based on the information below.

12. What were the risks the protestors facing at the scene in Admiralty?

They risked the tear gas scattering them.

13. Why do you think the protestors took the risks to get there? Answer in 60 words.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

28/9 News from Admiralty under the Occupy Central campaign

6.02pm: Just before 6pm police fired tear gas has been fired into Harcourt Road, scattering protesters. Police have fired three volleys of the gas, but the wind has blown the smoke plume back towards the police line.5.50pm: Police have warned that they will "use a higher degree to force" if crowds do not calm down.

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