I"M WORRIED ABOUT HONG KONG!

Come here a minute, I want to tell you something.

And I’d like to preface my remarks with something Prince Charles said at the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony on June 30th., 1997.

“Hong Kong has shown the world how East and West can live and work together.

As a flourishing commercial and cultural crossroads, it has brought us together and enriched all our lives.”

-Prince Charles, Hong Kong 1997 I’m worried about Hong Kong.

I mean, it started back in June when Hong Kong wanted to enact an extradition treaty that would allow them to extradite certain criminals to China in certain circumstances. However, it’s grown into something more than that.

People in Hong Kong not only want the treaty ditched(the government’s

already done that), but they want more freedoms-freedom to elect their own government, a free press and opportunities for free expression, and so much more.

It’s gotten to the point that an NBA player tweeted his support for the Hong Kong protesters, and it’s gotten the entire league into trouble with the Chinese government. Game telecasts are being cancelled and the Chinese Basketball Association has disassociated itself with the league.

When the British and Chinese governments agreed to have Hong Kong restored to China in 1997, they put together the concept of “one country, two systems,” in which Hong Kong would have separate trading and financial systems, maintenance of its laws and liberties, autonomy and an elected legislature, and government by the people of the city itself.

Of course, there was a catch-the legislature would be handpicked by the Chinese Communist Party, and the press in Hong Kong would have to censor certain news articles so as not to offend the PRC leaders. This whole arrangement is supposed to be in effect until 2047, but I fear that the Chinese will impose their ideals upon the city before then.

Most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, but recently there have been violent factions causing riots and brutality.

Some of these factions are in cahoots with the Chinese Communist Party. It’s caused the police to become more brutal themselves, employing tactics such as tear gas and live ammunition.

The entire crisis has caused tourism to collapse in Hong Kong, with attractions and businesses suffering for lack of customers. Companies doing business in the city have been forced to condemn the

pro-democracy movement and tow the party line after it was reported that several Cathay Pacific employees were among the people taking part in the protests. This caused two of their executives to resign in the face of intimidation by Beijing.

Nobody seems to give a damn about the whole affair. The British and US governments have not a word in support of the protesters, and Germany’s Angela Merkel has kowtowed to the Communist Chinese. They don’t want to get into trouble with the CCP, who they want to have as their trading partner.

This has caused both countries to raise tariffs on each other’s goods, making it more expensive to sell products in the two countries. It’s like an economic witch hunt, having to pay for items made in these respective lands.

Hong Kong has been the most dynamic city in the world, as far as finance, capital, and trading are

concerned. Millions of people from around the world shop there for fashions and electronics. Thousands of people gamble at the Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses. And of course, there’s sumptuous dining, nightlife and attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland. But all of that has suffered due to the protests.

By the way, the park itself has suffered over the summer due to the protests.

Many of its rides and attractions are empty, and its themed lands are devoid of tourists. I wonder how that makes Robert Iger feel about his bottom line. Of course, he doesn’t have to worry, since there’s now a Disneyland in Shanghai.

Many Hong Kong people have given up on the city and are moving far away to other cities around the globe, where they can keep their culture flourishing. After all, Hong Kong was the laboratory for enabling east and west to live and work together. As these Chinese men and

women have moved to other parts of the world, particularly in America, their culture enriches everyone else’s.

I wish that everyone would come to an agreement on this whole crisis. The Chinese government has to allow reforms to allow Hong Kong to exercise a more prosperous future. If it means that there have to be free elections, so be it. Hong Kong people should be allowed to run the city for themselves and be accountable to them. The governments here in the West have to speak up for the protesters and put pressure on China to let the city govern itself. Finally, they must pressure China to lay off of Hong Kong.

It’s the only possible way out of this mess that the world is into now. And it’s the most effective one. If for any reason Hong Kong wants to hold a referendum for independence, they should let them do it. Hong Kong people are extraordinary in what they have achieved

against the odds and what they’re trying to do in face of a hostile government who abuses human rights.

As I said, I’m worried about Hong Kong. However, I’m hopeful that some kind of solution will be found to end this messy conflict that’s raging in Hong Kong.

I’m not taking any sides in this conflict; I’m just urging the Chinese government to let Hong Kong be what it is-a glowing financial and cultural crossroads, with a marvelous culture that matters greatly to all of us. If they don’t, they will cause a collapse that will be felt for generations to come.

Thank you for your time and attention.