Communist China has a problem. While Beijing stands to command over one of the largest economies in the history of human existence, that prosperity came with a double-edged sword. Yes, the coffers of the state have been filled, but more and more people are waking up to discover just how brutal totalitarian socialism is.
Assessing the situation in Hong Kong right now is complicated. Demonstrators want to preserve the region’s independence from mainland China. As it stands now, Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous vassal state under the yoke of Beijing — and the Xi regime wants to solidify its rule. But that isn’t going so well. Generations of Hong Kong residents grew up with the British traditions of democracy and free markets. They saw civil rights being respected where they were, and being trampled in the mainland. They understand that this is the future of they recognize Beijing’s authority.
On the other hand, there is little question that the demonstrations are destabilizing the lives of everyone who lives there. At times, it is fair to call them riots. But protesters insist that they are facing an existential threat to their freedom, and they are left with no choice.
We need to be very careful with this justification, because it’s the same one used by everyone who has ever participated in a riot for whatever reason. Supporters of the riots in Ferguson, Baltimore, and other areas using the “Black Lives Matter” hashtag said the same thing. So, this begs the question: is any of this justified? Is the totalitarian Chinese government so bad that it warrants violent resistance?
We can only come to an answer after evaluating all of the available information.
Here’s Paul Joseph Watson with some on-the-ground reporting.
