#i read back through this post 20 times (no joke) because i couldnt tell if it made sense or not

[spacejammie-eimmajecaps]

Despite being stuck in a depression pit, there is a constant stream of (admittedly muddled and incoherent) thoughts in the back of my mind focused on plot points that need adjustment and various revisions for the next chapter

[foryouthegays]

spreading propaganda [Dream SMP] liveblog yall lets go. this is so long i am sorry but the end is an actual summary of what happens asldkfa

sellout timer pog: 00:30:20, 01:00:40, 01:31:35, 02:02:03 (for like a second), 02:03:00, 02:34:35

time spent reading donations: 10 minutes, 20ish seconds. 

fanart credit he puts up (all from twitter i think): snumkt, reinneart, lihnsu, sestqr, jester_u, Brigade_Lost, natonyy

also taggin @antarctic-empire-technoblade​ :) theres an actual summary at the end that isnt just me ramblin so,,,,,,ye. i am so sorry its so long a;dkfja i dont know how to condense things 

00:00:35 “i stole a lot of sand recently,” ah yes, a casual conversation starter, the admission of theft 

00:03:55 hE HAS A VILLAGER TRADING HALL CHAPEL IN THE VILLAGE SIR THAT IS ILLEGAL 

00:04:13 

tubbo: -..--...--- 

ranboo: that means beans right

no, ranboo, not it does not (i put it into a translator and it just. it doesnt mean anything. i didnt see any spaces so im just. what was mr tubbo trying to say

00:04:35: relationship advice with technoblade! [reading donation] “‘techno, my boyfriend said he’ll never sub to you, how do i handle this travesty?’ uh, clearly you need to break up with him, and send me more money, is the most- that’s the most unbiased opinion I can give you, it’s just a good life decision, alright? It’s just a good life decision.”

00:16:00 ranboo hi!!!! him garden :D 

HOUND ARMY HOUND ARMY 00:18:10

00:20:15 ‘i have not made a tier list [for dinosaurs] yet’ Y E T? ? ? ?? ? 

00:20:55

“‘Hey, are you uncomfortable with being part of the SBI family dynamic?’ Uh, I don’t really- it’s not a matter of being uncomfortable, it’s just a matter of people making massive revisions to my character and the lore three months into the story without telling me, and it’s like, ‘no, that doesn’t- the story doesn’t- so many things don’t make sense now! What?? What???’ but if you want to make like, fanart of it, it’s fine”

00:21:25 imagine believing in airplanes, couldnt be me

00:21:35 SKLDJFAK a dono is like, hey can u call my new cousin a nerd, and technos like [claps] yOUVE COME TO THE RIGHT MAN im all about bullying infant children 

lakjshdfl 00:26:15 ‘philza this does not sound lore at all please’ poor techno

00:27:30 HKJSFDL :crab: TUBBO IS GONE :crab: also i cant tell if techno says ‘KILL HIM DEAD’ or ‘KILL HIM, DAD’ 

00:30:20 ‘we should have a grinch episode, where i go around stealing presents from l’manburg’ DO IT

also i was in chat at 00:31:25ish and i said ‘subscribe to technoblade’ and RIGHT AFTER techno said ‘did i hear subscribe to technoblade?’ and i felt so heard 

00:33:25 why is his only response to being seen in enemy lines to just stay realllyyyyy still a;lkdfjasf 

00:39:45 ‘this is crucial information coming to you live from anarchy news’ A;LSDKFJA;LSDF

00:46:25 :CRAB: RANBOO IS GONE :CRAB: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 

alkdfja; 00:47:55 techno talks (sarcastically) abt how great it is when chat tells him where his stuff is

00:48:50 awww techno showin his not-dad his hound army!!! so cute 

00:55:30 techno specifies that theyre all characters/roleplayin!!!

techno talkin to phil is literally like a kid talkin to his dad after not seein him for a while. like yeah yeah family isnt canon in this but KSJDFLA hes like ‘phillll tommys being annoying also look at this new poster!!!!’ its so cute

01:09:20 A;SDJFADSL THE VILLAGER JUST. FALLS THROUGH THE FLOOR

techno nd phil reference smp earth at 01:19:50!!!!

(ik some people dont like enbyctechno so heres ur warnin, its just for this line tho) techno says ‘no one man should have this power’ but he HAS that power. therefore. mr c!blade is not a guy 01:35:00ish idk im not goin back to check

01:38:35 alright gang lets split up and look for clues 

01:45:20 ‘my chat’s sayin theres a 0% chance this is gonna work,,,,thATS A CHANCE I’M WILLING TO TAKE, CHAT’ skjdflasl;dfjaf (also, bit after, after readin the wiki say its 0% chance: ‘i like those odds’) 

01:48:15 [abt the zombie villager baby] 

Techno: on the bright side, we may have inflicted the optimal amount of trauma onto this child for it to become funny? 

Ranboo: ooooh yeah! it can become a minecraft youtuber!

techno: yeeeeeeah!!

pls get some therapy

a;ldkfassa the mental image of techno ownin an orphanage,,,,paldkfajslfasf 01:51:35

a;ldsifjasdklf ranboo is canonically a villager now, pog 01:56:50

01:57:50 ranboo: ‘they say that im built different, i am built different, in the fact that i have no moral backbone.’

01:58:30 BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD also why is techno so good at the bow like WHAT he looks in third person and turns nd shoots in like a second and hits most of the time its scary literally look at ranboo a;ldsjkfadsf hes like a porcupine 

ASKLJDFASLDF RANBOOS ‘OH NO HE KNOWS HOW TO OPEN DOORS’ AT 02:02:25 JUST HAS SUCH TECHNO SKYBLOCK VID VIBES ADLKJFALSDFJA OH MY GOSH

02:06:35 “i feel there has been an attempt on my life,” "no thats just how we greet each other in our country” nether lore pog?

02:08:45 why does techno casually type at 120 wpm?????  god i hate him so much why is he like thisssss ugh (also it took ~3 seconds to type 7 words (34 characters) which is 140 wpm and 680 cpm if i know how to do math i hate it here) /lh

nd then he types ‘punz we’re all outside your house get over here’ which is 47 characters nd 9 words nd it took him 5 seconds to type which is 564 cpm and 108 wpm so his average (from these two samples which. isnt a lot. should i do a post abt this in the future?) is 124 wpm and 622 cpm. hes so fast. 

SDA;FKJASDF PHIL WHY R U SO VIOLENT 

02:17:00 PUNZ POG ALSO MANIFOLD KILLED IN THE HOLY LAND

technos complainin bout the fights bein boring,,,,,,,fight them all, techno. do it. 1v8. do it, coward. 

02:24:02 ‘maybe the real combat was the friends we made along the way’ 

02:25:16 i love that technos first instinct when someone dies is to check what sword/axe killed them nd what enchants r on it aldskfjads

i love how techno calls the manhunt music ‘dream music’ its so funny to me

right before he ends the stream he says ‘p e r h a p s’ to techno plushies and i just,,,, wa n t 

if ya just want an actual summary and not that MESS:

Technoblade starts the stream in his house. the first thing he does is put another piece of fanart in his house, this one by snumkt on twitter. he goes to l’manburg, where he sneaks around very sneakily (/s) and replaces anti-techno propaganda with pro-techno fanart, stating that “If they take it down, it’s ‘cause they hate fanartists.” (00:09:18). 

While placing posters, Techno checks in on his hound army, and reveals that he thinks someone had been in the area, because a wolf teleported to him while he was home. He thinks someone placed water, the dog stood up, and then teleported. (00:18:25)

After breeding the dogs, Techno reads donations and one of the questions is about the SBI family dynamics. Here’s what he says at 00:20:55 

“‘Hey, are you uncomfortable with being part of the SBI family dynamic?’ Uh, I don’t really- it’s not a matter of being uncomfortable, it’s just a matter of people making massive revisions to my character and the lore three months into the story without telling me, and it’s like, ‘no, that doesn’t- the story doesn’t- so many things don’t make sense now! What?? What???’ but if you want to make like, fanart of it, it’s fine”

He then meets up with Philza, who is being escorted by Tubbo. Techno goes to Philzas house, and hides in his new basement. He joins their VC and finds Phil, Wilbur, Tommy, and Tubbo. talking about birthdays. Tubbo goes to the basement and sees Technos invis particles, hits him, and he is revealed. Techno kills tubbo, and declares it canon as a joke. 

He goes back outside, deafened on Discord, and puts down more propaganda. Philza joins his call, and they meet up to try and find Technos stolen items. They don’t find the barrel, but they do find a hidden room under the podium. Techno puts a piece of propaganda in the room. (00:43:30)

While Phil is killing an enderman, Ranboo finds them, and is killed by Techno. (00:46:25) 

Techno takes Phil to see his Hound Army, but they’re stopped by Tubbo. Techno tries to pretend to be Ranboo, but Ranboo goes up to them, so his cover is blown. Techno’s chased to the portal. Phil and Techno meet again in the Nether, and they go back to the house. 

At the house, Phil and Techno talk about the SBI characters, the sellout timer goes off, and then they go downstairs to cure a zombie villager. While it’s curing, Techno gathers books to make a new bow, with Power V, Punch II, Unbreaking III, Flame, and Mending. 

Philza reveals that Ranboo is coming over to give Phil a present. Techno seems excited at this, mostly at the fact that Ranboo can be his new bows test subject. 

Before Ranboo arrives, the villager is cured, and they find out it is a nitwit, meaning it can’t trade or get a job. Techno and Phil start working on a tunnel to bring the villager to a lava pool, so the other villagers won’t gossip and raise their prices. 

Ranboo joins the call at 01:15:35, right before they’re going to bring the villager to the lava pool. He gifts Techno and Phil four Netherite ingots.

After struggling to get the villager to the right height, Techno forces Ranboo to boat the villager into the lava. Ranboo escapes by throwing a pearl, and the villager dies.

Ranboo, Techno, and Phil talk about duping Netherite, and the current plot, and then Techno finds a zombie baby villager. It’s caught in a boat, and Techno nametags it ‘Orphan.’ They talk about the cobblestone tower, Philzas’ death to a baby zombie, and how if you don’t see a child's parents, you should assume that they are an orphan and attack them. 

Techno talks to Jack Manifold through chat about his axe. Techno, Philza, and Ranboo go around and look for zombie villagers. Techno finds an igloo, with two villagers. Techno was going to try and turn them into zombie villagers, but decides to not when he finds out that theres a 0% chance of that happening on Easy mode. 

They all go back to Orphan, and bully it when they find out it still hasn’t grown up. Techno and Ranboo make a joke about how it’s traumatized, so it’ll be funny and can be come a minecraft youtuber. please get some help. (01:48:15)

After Orphan grows up, Techno trades and gets the Bottle of Enchanting trade for one emerald. They all joke about Techno owning an orphanage at 01:51:35.

Phil, Techno, and Ranboo decide go to the Hound Army, but Techno remembers that Ranboo is part of L’manburg, and tries to kill him (with his new bow) when they enter the nether. He doesn’t succeed, and he continues fighting until he drinks and invis pot on the Prime Path. Techno and Phil meet up in the Bee Dome, where Ranboo finds them. Techno tries to kill him, but runs out of arrows. 

After reading donations, Techno, Ranboo, and Phil are back together at the Bee Dome, and they decide to team up in case someone finds them. They go outside of the Dome, and chase Jack Manifold out of his own country.

Manifold joins the VC, and they try to blame Punz on his attempted murder. After Manifold says “i feel there has been an attempt on my life,” Techno says that that’s how he greets people in his country.

Manifold asks if they want to help him get revenge on Punz, and Techno agrees. They gather more people, and by the time they get to Punz’s tower, their party is Manifold, Techno, Phil, Ranboo, Fundy, and Antfrost. Punz is in the Nether, so they wait until he gets back. 

Ranboo and Techno have a whisper conversation:

Ranboo: are you just going to jump fundy

Techno: no im gonna make jack 1v1 LMAO

Ranboo: good plan

While Fundy is taking a screenshot of Techno for his thumbnail, Philza attacks Fundy with a crossbow and his sword. He claims it was because he was getting bored. 

In the same spirit, Techno asks if they could kill Manifold to pass the time. The mob, which now includes Fundy, chases Manifold. He runs to the Holy Land, and the mob boos him.  Techno tells Antfrost to kill Manifold, and that the mob won’t tell that he was killed in the Holy Land. Manifold hands Antfrost his sword. 

While Antfrost debates killing Manifold or not, the mob chants ‘peer pressure!’ at him. Techno quickly realizes that Antfrost isn’t in the VC, and is extremely confused. The sword gets handed to Fundy, who gets into a battle with Manifold. Philza tells Fundy that he’s forgiven, if he can kill Manifold. The battle calms, and neither of the contestants die.

Techno convinces the mob to go to the pit trap, and tries to lure someone onto the trapped blocks using rotten flesh. Fundy takes the bait, but moves out of the way before the button is pressed. Antfrost sneaks up behind him and punches him into the pit. Fundy survives the fall, but is shot by Manifold to death. 

During the commotion, Punz makes his way back to his house, and the mob moves towards him to end his life. Manifold says that he’s going to kill Punz, and Techno says that the mob’ll have his back. He tells the mob to not have Manifold’s back. 

at 02:17:00, Punz joins the call, and is confused as to why Manifold wants to kill him. Manifold explains that Punz tried to kill him, siting his source as Technoblade. 

also, 2:17:15 technoswear!

Techno encourages Punz, saying “Punz, he actually dropped his sword by accident and now I have it, so it’d be really easy to beat him up,” and “he also just killed in the holy land, so you have a sort of...religious motivation to take him out.”

Punz tries to fight Manifold without armor (Manifold is wearing a full enchanted set of armor, with a Netherite chestplate and everything else Diamond), which fails miserably, and Manifold is killed. 

Techno decides to fight Manifold with his goons (the mob) for the audience retention, and Manifold’s quickly killed. The final hit was from CaptainPuffy. Ponk rushes in and grabs some of Manifold’s items. Puffy takes the rest.

Manifold complains about getting bullied, so Techno gives him his sword back and tells him to avenge himself. While looking for Ponk (or Punz? this is kinda unclear), Punz swoops in and kills Manifold in two hits. 

Manifold finds Ponk and chases after him, trying to kill him. The mob follows, and Ranboo kills Ponk with thorns. Manifold takes Ponks stuff. 

Right after respawning, Ponk was blown up by a creeper, and Techno claimed both as canon. 

The mini fights continue, and Manifold is killed by Punz. 

Ranboo changes the ‘Days since last war crime’ sign to 0.

Phil tells Techno that he’s going back to the base, and the L’manburgians question him as to what base he’s talking about. Phil tells Fundy that he ripped off his ankle shackles and left. While they talk, Techno starts running back to the base, and Ranboo whispers “lets run back” to him. Ranboo follows Techno, but quickly looses him.

Phil and Techno join a separate VC together and they go back to the base. 

At 02:29:15, Phil says “I trust you” to Techno and I am going to cry. 

Right before getting to the base, Phil drinks some honey, and Techno says “that’s the only thing we have honey for, now that we’ve uh...uh I guess you don’t know about that.” He’s referring to the Vault, I think, because the redstone required honey to work properly. 

Philza responds, “the honey- wait, what did you use the honey for?” 

“uhhh....food.” Techno, for some reason, doesn’t want to show Phil the vault. 

Ranboo whispers to Techno: “My alliance isnt with lmanburg, its with the people who help me. phil helped me.”

out loud, Techno laughs about it with phil, saying, “well, I’ve stabbed him like twelve times this week, so, I [laughs] I don’t know if that entirely qualifies here.”

Techno messages Ranboo back with “new phone who this” 

Ranboo replies, “no one,” and then, “:)”

Going back to the honey talk, Philza asked if Techno had been hiding anything diabolical from him, and Techno asks if he would do such a thing. Philza guesses several things he could use honey for, such as a flying machine, TNT dupers, and a door.

Techno takes him to the vault. 02:32:00. i LOVE peoples reactions to the vault, it’s always so good. Philza responds with a surprised ‘HOLY SHIT’ and some laughing. Techno also confirms my math of 55 withers. 

02:34:10 “i’ve seen this government, on the server, and everything to do with government is just bad. I’ve watched it completely destroy and tear down people’s wills and change people, I’ve seen it change the nicest people into complete and utter tyrants, so...I think it’s about time--”

“We need revenge. [sellout timer goes off] and more importantly, we neED SUBSCRIBERS ON YOUTUBE DOT COM” phil joinin anarchy pog? 

anyway that was it ;alskdfjas;f

[lauraaan182]

My latest tattoo experience

I'm on mobile so this won't be put in a read more for a while, soz.

So for those that know me or follow me on here or Instagram or w.e may have seen my tattoos that I’ve posted. Usually I have had great experiences in shops, as I’ve been to a few. I hate that I feel the need to post this, but this experience was the worst I’ve had.

Recently I won a competition for a free, full colour tattoo - YASS - free tattoo of a pre drawn design by the artist, cool (its a red panda riding a jet ski, incase you were wondering) - I was stoked to not only win but to get a red panda tattoo as I love them and have been looking into getting one.

I was buzzing, I booked in and got my apt a few days later.

Now I should mention I have severe social anxiety (and depression but that didnt affect me that day, no more than usual) so I was incredibly anxious to go into a shop I hadnt been to, to be tattooed by an artist I don’t know. I felt anxiously sick, my palms were sweaty, the joys of anxiety. Thats fine.

In the shop I was offered coffee and refreshments, everyone was nice.

Eventually got my stencil on, dried, we were ready to tattoo.

As this tattoo was on my thigh, I felt exposed and was unconfortable so the artist had put up a divider to give us some privacy, not that it mattered the other artists kept coming to see how the tattoo was going and asking why the divider was up..

The tattoo started fine, my leg started twitching (as it would with needles stabbing you loads of times..) The artist laughed it off said “its fine it happens, but you need to try and stop” - okay sure of course, not like I’m doing it on purpose but I’ll do my best. It didnt last, he started making jokes, saying I was and I quote “worse than Michael j fox” and proceeded to shout this across the studio to the other artists while mimicking a full body shake.

That was embarrassing.

He did this a few times throughout the appointment. They all had a good laugh. I didnt. I had a break to go for a pee (I had a massive can of redbull okay it was gonna happen eventually) the receptionist asked if I was done already, I replied no I had to pee. Fast forward, more of the tattoo is done, he still mocks my twitching, but is getting seriously annoyed now, visibly holding back his annoyance he says through gritted teeth “you’re gonna have to stop doing that if you want straight lines” - yes I know I’m sorry but I physically cannot stop it. I continue for another while and we stop for lunch. Again the receptionist asks if I’m finished. I’m still a little on edge by this point cause well I’m sitting with joggies on one leg, and the other leg bare and bleeding because of the fresh ink IN THE RECEPTION..

Afterwards we continue, we haven’t done a lot, outline and now we’re on colour.

Twitching, annoyance, embarrassment, leg cramp its all happening.

So I ask to stand and the receptionist comes in and says, yeah you guessed it “are you finished then?” - now I was stretching my legs, she turns to the artist and says “too many breaks” - straight faced, no hint of a joke, he laughed and agreed.

I then began asking how long it would take etc just for some chat, a full day session, so probably 7 hours, I’d been there for 4 but had been tattooed for 2 ½, I’ve not been tattooed longer than 3 ½ so I told him that probably wouldn’t happen (in the post for the competition, it said it would take as long as it takes, or until he is satisfied) he said he would like to knock it out that day and that he didnt want it eating into his time (for his paying customers).

Disheartened, I told him id sit for as long as I could but I could guarantee I would not be able to sit for 7 hours. This annoyed him, he started repeating himself and then tried guilting me into sitting longer, by telling me it was a piece he loved and really wanted to finish it, that we hadn’t done alot.

He kept insisting I sit longer and kept putting the guilt on me for not being able to sit for a full day (apparently I should have mentioned that - even tho it wasnt mentioned anywhere that it was to be finished in one day, if it was I wouldn’t have entered). I felt trapped, I was there myself and being guilted into sitting longer and feeling like I was letting the artist down. I went to the bathroom, I could feel an anxiety attack coming on, I went to the bathroom, while texting my friend. I cried. I couldnt breathe. I don’t get emotional easily and I definetly dont cry in front of people, especially people I don’t know.

I sat outside the shop on the stairs, I needed air (we’re in a big building, on the top floor) so I’m sitting there, trying to breathe, crying, bloody leg, yeah its not looking good..

On of the other artists comes out to go for a break and asks me if I’m okay, he took the time to sit with me, ask if I was okay, offered me water, coffee, even a cigarette,l and to come out for fresh air. He was nice but I declined. I was affronted. He told me it wasnt my fault and not to feel guilty, and that he would talk to the artist. I just wanted to be left alone to clear my head and be able to breathe!

The artist who is tattooing me comes out looking for me, cause I’ve been gone what.. 15/20 mins, asks what’s wrong, chuckles at how I’m acting saying its not so bad, to come in we’ve got more to do, cause yknow we haven’t done much and he doesn’t want it eating into his time..

I told him I was having an anxiety attack because of how he made me feel, he kept putting it down to pain in my leg and brushing off whatever I said. THEN the receptionist came out and asked me to come inside because “they don’t want people to see me and give the shop a bad name” - I went back into the toilet, still crying and text my dad to come get me. I couldnt stay there. I needed out. I needed to be away from the people making me feel like this.

Back in the shop, I sit down and tell him, still somewhat crying (keeping it together as much as I could because PEOPLE WERE LOOKING and clearly talking)

He tried putting on the guilt trip again, ignoring what I was saying. So I said I felt sick, so he would stop. He did but was definitely not happy about it, the receptionist was standing next to us, listening, leering at me. I felt like a child being ganged up on. I just wanted to go home. He wrapped me up, still complaining about not being able to do more. I ignored him. He went through the aftercare info, while laughing off my reaction. I got ready and walked out. The receptionist followed me out and shouted bye, I replied but she clearly never heard me and then shouted out the door “when someone says bye its polite to say it back”. I wasn’t given a new apt, I’ve to message the artist and go through him again.

I was walking down the stairs when my dad appeared.

Tear stricken, I left with him and retold him everything. I have never had an experience like that on my life, I’ve never felt so belittled for having anxiety and I’ve never been made to cry in a fucking shop. The tattoo isn’t finished. I need to go back once its healed, I’m dreading it, rest assured I won’t be going back by myself. Mamas on the war path.

I left that shop crying, embarrassed, humiliated and feeling like shit. 0/10 would not recommend.

*I have not included the name of the artist or shop because the tattoo isn’t finished yet and I don’t need more shit to come my way*

[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over?

As China tightens its grip on the city over which British govern intention 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against deterioration of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and herald its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an moment for something quite different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile cracking across his look as he reflects on how many members of the local elite have chosen to brand two decades of Chinese pattern by plastering their houses and transactions with patriotic mottoes and red flag in the hope, he supposes, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see republic. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is becoming a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will guide galas of two decades of Chinese dominate alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ceremony merely down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary explosion of dissent in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of 7. 3 million residents returned to China after 156 years of colonial principle. A flypast and a ocean ceremony are as follows. By nighttime, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal boat Britannia varied on 1 July 1997, is likely to be illuminated by a magnificent 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving party of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back to the warm espouse of his mother, is still vivid in our remembering, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But for members of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary is accompanied by a profound gumption of ambiguity and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and followers demonstrate against the detention of 26 parties reject the Chinese authority. Picture: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the hands of a Leninist dictatorship, campaigners such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its battle for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new commander, who was elected by a tightly ensure pick committee, there will be a regenerated move to ordain controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to impres an upbeat style during his visit, recent comments by another senior Communist party figure who committed to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of influence , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three agent, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists sense of foreboding is the feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them release for dread of impairing their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photo: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, issued a carefully worded account about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson stirred no direct mention of proliferating fears about the eroding of Hong Kongs exemptions, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a neighbourhood bookseller who regarded a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedoms promised to Hong Kongs citizens under the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to intervene.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those suspicions, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a bargain negotiated by London and Beijing pledging Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical document that no longer had any practical meaning.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, says campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for assistance: As long as there is not blood in the street, they dont care.

Not everybody is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are speck with the groups of pro-government partisans and embellished with placards that speak I enjoy Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vigor. Lilac posters hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in luminous blood-red banners and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, there is also sincere patriotic fervor. Hong Kong parties should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress home countries has obligated, enthused Li Li, a steer at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have saluted the commemoration and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government followers. The remainder couldnt care less about the anniversary, and were most worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white-hot and blue-blooded obstructions, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the province, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest many young people are showing in Xis visit mark how detached they feel from mainland China and how Beijings programmes have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they feeling, he says, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that exclusively 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest proportion since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the indifference and misgiving, Hong Kongs protest move appears in buoyant mood. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual advance marking the return to China. Their rallying cry will be 20 years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officers, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit very provocative, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from role, chiefly because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being attested in last year.

If two to three of them lose their sets, then the whole political match will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislative term, tells Chu, which was intended to shout Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover anniversary. Photograph: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would furnish agreements to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming leader has pledged to mended the divide and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and totalitarianism, said Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last head, has offered a more upbeat appraisal of the city he once flowed, saying he was encouraged by the really profound feel of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I anticipate I am pleased about the style in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a reason of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he demonstrated after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his progress chances under a new, young leader. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his assemblies between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the symbol of the 1989 Tiananmen Square asserts, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella motions prime camp, a sprawl of tents and political debate, three days before police lastly cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the field.[ It was as if they were saying :] I please I were free, you are familiar with? The breeze was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[proffwhombat]

1/27/17

Sorry, today i dont have anything funny to offer, today i am just talking about a girl. XD

If you read my last post then you know that i met a girl. I am calling her Alayna(i changed it from Noel to Alayna. wanna know why? read the bottom of this blog to find out!)

So today hasnt been a super special day. started off like normal. Went through the motions as usual. So my story will start after my 5th period.

So i was sitting there in class and we started doing the traditional writing Katakana with the authentic japanese pen stick thingys. It was cool. i SUCK at it. its hard for me cuz you cant move your wrist and you need straight lines and ADHD makes that hard XD. anywho. I leave class and wait for Alayna right outside the door and talk to her. we talk about what difficulties we had or didnt have with the writing stuff. the entire time, i realized that she was super super super pretty. I dont know what it was, she had a really cute smile, adorable laugh. super pretty curly hair. and to top it all off. Glasses. adorable! plus she was smaller then me. So i thought that was super cute as well. So we go our separate ways and go to class. So the day starts to go by. and i get a message on google hangouts. ‘Huh, Olwyn. cool name might as well see who this is and what she has to offer.’ I accepted the chat and we begin to talk. Turns out it was a girl from North virginia (ik thats wrong. its a joke) and she is an 8th grader.  we talked about depression and school and all that cool stuff. we grew pretty close. it was as if she was an old friend. Eventually we stop talking and the day goes on.

I Stayed after school for some extra time on BIM classes. (business information management), when i finished i decided instead of walking home i would hang out around where i used to get dropped off when i was at an early college. i used to be dropped off at my current school. So i wait around to try and get a view of the old bus i used to ride with my first girlfriend. After 20 mins i see a super nice new bus pull up alittle down the road from where i usualy got dropped off. ‘Nah, that aint it.’ i think to myself.  I watch as all the people get out of the bus. ‘Dont know him. Dont know her. Dont know him. Dont know her.’ i said as i watched people get off the bus. ‘Dont kn--whoah. i might actually know her’. i strain my eyes to try and see the person clearer. i couldnt tell. but it looked like her. ‘No way....she did get off at this stop..’ I walk by to see if it was her. and it was. she didnt seem to notice me. ehter that or didnt want me to notice her. Probably not noticing me as it had been two years since i saw her. and even then we wernt the closest people in the world. I stood at the edge of a street trying to make it look like i was waiting for my ride. after afew minutes i see her get up and start to walk away. ‘I want to talk with  Sondra. but its been so long.’ At that point i have flashbacks to my freshmen year when i was dating  Amada. i remember having so many great times with Amada. And Sondra was always there to help me, that way i knew when i was screwing up..

I flashed back to reality. ‘shit!’ i sprinted behind her. “Sondra!” i shouted she looked back with confusion. Her conplexion changed from confusion to shock. “Hey! do you remember me?” i asked her. she gave me an unsure yes. not because she was unsure. but becuase of the shock. at least i think XD. So we talk and go our seperate ways. on the walk home she gets picked up and so do i. and that leads me to now.

So i am talking to Alayna and its currently 18:26(6:26) and we were talking and she told me her last name. Ima pretend its  Moreau. so she told me what it was and i assumed it was french. which it was. i told her mine and i stated its Old english. (im not going to put my last name here. i aint crazy) and i explain its old meaning and such. she says “thats super cool! i didnt know that it was old english.” she texted. “neither did i!” i sent back XD. i googled it. i learn more about myself when talking with her. who knew! XD

To end todays blog, im going to end it on a high note: I am blessed. God has blessed me. blessed me with a new friend, a new friend that i like. i admit it. i like her. its a crush that gets bigger and bigger. 

(Every name i will use from now on will have a meaning)

[ihavea-lottosay-blog]

I have a lot to say. Things i need to get off my chest, just talk about, and somethings that are just me being critical of other people. This blog is going to have a lot of spelling, grammar, and life mistakes so bare with me if you read it and dont expect me to post everyday. I’m literally talking to this thing like its a person and no one follows it so thats a good start! Oh well, crazy is also included. Heres the shit ill start off with...

I am 20 years old turning 21 soon (woo!) a college art student and  a photographer. Basic shit, almost looks like a tinder bio i know. I guess the first big life event that comes to mind with me is dating the wrong guy. I know i couldnt be more boring or cliche but its really whats got me fucked up and this wont be the only story you hear about him. I spent 2 years with this kid in high school and half my freshman year in college. He is the exact manipulative, phsycho, cheating boyfriend every main character has. His name is Manny. Now thankfully an ex but there was a time i thought forever was possible; not sure why though, he wasn’t attractive or smart, and although he was kind and funny sometimes he quickly killed it with something he did wrong. Example: He was my best friend for years and it took me 3 weeks into us dating to figure out i was in love with him, that same night his ex told me he cheated on me with her. case. in point. Now he did have those shining heroic moments that made me feel like he was just misunderstood. Onetime our friend screwed us out of a place to sleep at a music festival and my sister and i were trapped outside a nearby church in the rain in the middle of nowhere with both our phones dying. He insisted he would come pick us up and bring us home. But overall he’s a down right douche that fucked up my ways of thinking. Its been 2 years since we’ve been broken up (i broke up with him cause i found out he had an entire relationship with his ex and me at the same time, yeah she knew about it and didnt care,  all while still banging sluts behind both of our backs) and he stalked me for a year and a half of the break up. He harassed me online mostly but a couple months ago he showed up drunk to my apartment at school which ive never given him the address to (he got it from a friend that knows my scummy roommate) and yelled at me how much he loves me and all this other shit that i honestly laughed at. I now have a restraining order against him so i doubt any other stories i tell about him are going to be recent unless i heard something from someone else but all the past stories i will probably tell have to do with my current feelings. 

In this case I can honestly say Manny fucked up the idea of love for me. He was my first real boyfriend, first love, and first time. I dont know if its possible to have a love like your first again but i hope i dont and do all at the same time. I hope i can love someone as deeply as i loved him but i hope i dont loose myself or my self respect for love. i hope i find at least some kind of love out there again. ive dated a little before him and had one boyfriend after that i honestly dated out of loneliness and because he was the exact opposite of manny. But i’ve never even liked any of my boyfriends that much they were just there. I pretty much became a whore after him. I fucked 17 guys in 2 years of being single. This one guy this summer though made me start to think that its possible to fall in love again. Doug and i went to our friends lake house together. I guess the first night i got so drunk i forgot but i was told we were making out in front of everyone. we grew closer that trip and the second time we went north to the lake house its almost like we were in a mini relationship up there. We were always together, cuddling on the couch or sitting next to each other, and sneaking off to make out. We became the butt of the joke for the trip cause our friends teased us about dating. After we came home things were so different. I was traveling a lot so seeing each other was impossible but we always snuck the word date into conversation. But i guess his friends weirded him out about our 5 year age difference and he heard rumors about me that werent true and felt weird about getting attached cause i’d be heading back to school soon (i live 2 hours away). But finally we found a day to play frisbee golf together (he plays a lot and i never had so he wanted to take me) and he was distant and weird so i got the hint about being just friends.  But then after that he kept snapping me and texting me first and then we were gonna hang out another day and he pretty much treated me like a booty call so newly entitled me decided to rip him apart for treating me like that. I regret some of it cause i was drunk and i just wanted him to like me but  fucked it up for good after that. 

Pretty much i dont know if ill find someone soon, or close, its not that i wont find someone because i can (not to sound conceded) i think im attractive and i could lower my standards a bunch to just be with someone but i’ve done that in every relationship ive had. I’ve always dated down in appearance, personality, education, etc. I dont want to anymore. I want to find someone im at level with and obsessed with and everything i deserve after the mountains of crap ive shoveled through. I’m lonely but i dont want just anyone anymore.

I told you i have a lot to say. 

[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experiment over?

As China stiffens its grip on the city over which British principle culminated 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against erosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a society and hail its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an opportunity for something very different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile separating across his face as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood society have chosen to rating two decades of Chinese ruler by plastering their homes and business with patriotic slogans and red flag in the hope, he suspects, of currying financial favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see republic. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is constructing a rare three-day tour of the former British settlement, will result observances of two decades of Chinese self-control alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ritual exactly down the road from where the umbrella change happened an extraordinary outburst of disagreement in the autumn of 2014 the pair will remember the moment this city of 7. 3 million residents returned to China after 156 years of colonial govern. A flypast and a sea procession will follow. By nighttime, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the imperial yacht Britannia varied on 1 July 1997, is likely to be decorated by a fantastic 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving opportunity of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back to the warm cuddle of his mother, is still color in our recall, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But in the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound gumption of skepticism and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and admirers demonstrate against the detention of 26 people opposed to the Chinese authority. Photograph: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the sides of a Leninist dictatorship, campaigners such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its combat for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new lead, who was elected by a tightly verified assortment committee, there will be a revitalized thrust to ordain controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to impres an upbeat tone during his visit, recent statements by another senior Communist party figure who devoted to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that among delegations of influence , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no menace to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists feel of foreboding is the help feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them loose for suspicion of shattering their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Image: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, problem a carefully worded proclamation about the anniversary on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson shaped no direct mention of flourishing horrors about the deterioration of Hong Kongs impunities, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who accommodated a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like many, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedoms promised to Hong Kongs citizens under the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those fears, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a cope negotiated by London and Beijing pledging Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical report that no longer had any practical meaning.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for republic, says activists can no longer count on London or Washington for support: As long as there is no such thing as blood in the streets, they dont care.

Not everyone is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are flecked with the groups of pro-government supporters and embellished with banners that speak I adoration Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vitality. Lilac posters hanging from connections and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining crimson flags and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th commemoration of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent information, there is also genuine patriotic fervour. Hong Kong beings should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has prepared, enthused Li Li, a guidebook at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have saluted the anniversary and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government advocates. The residual couldnt care less about the anniversary, and were most worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive protection operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white and blue-blooded roadblocks, with agents patrolling wall street with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the field, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest numerous young people are showing in Xis visit underline how disconnected they appear from mainland China and how Beijings policies have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they suffer, he says, pointing to a recent poll suggesting that only 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest rate since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont is intended to be brainwashed.

For all the irrelevance and indecision, Hong Kongs protest flow appears in buoyant climate. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual rally tagging the return to China. Their rallying cry will be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officers, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit too provoking, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one conqueror called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from part, primarily because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being asserted in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” benches, then the whole political balance will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, alarms Chu, which was intended to wail Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Image: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not optimistic that Beijing would give franchises to activists, even though Hong Kongs incoming captain has pledged to mended the partition and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and dictatorship, said Pepper. How she is going to bridge that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last governor, has offered a more upbeat judgment of the city he once flowed, saying he was encouraged by the really profound feel of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I feel I am pleased about the acces in which Hong Kong people themselves are the reason for it still being a make of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he granted after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his shifts occasions under a brand-new, young leader. These young people are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his chambers between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the emblem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square asserts, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella motions primary clique, a sprawling of tents and political debate, three days before police ultimately cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little fowls singing on the floor.[ It was as if they were saying :] I care I were free, you are familiar with? The air was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experiment over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We craved democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over?

As China stiffens its grasp on the city over which British govern purposed 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against corrosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and acclaim its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an reason for something very different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile interrupting across his appearance as he reflects on how many members of the local society had been decided to marking two decades of Chinese govern by plastering their homes and business with patriotic slogans and red flags in the hope, he believes, of currying financial favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see republic. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is shaping a rare three-day tour of the former British settlement, will produce festivities of two decades of Chinese control alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising formality simply down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an unprecedented eruption of disagreement in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of seven. 3 million residents returned to China after 156 years of colonial regulation. A flypast and a ocean procession will follow. By darknes, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the imperial boat Britannia departed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be decorated by a splendid 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving reason of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back to the heated espouse of his mother, is still color in our memory, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But for members of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound feel of mistrust and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and followers support against the detention of 26 beings opposed to the Chinese authority. Photograph: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty years after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the hands of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its duel for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs brand-new lead, who was elected by a tightly seen collection committee, there will be a regenerated push to pass controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to ten-strike an upbeat tone during his visit, recent commentaries by another senior Communist party figure who committed to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of influence , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no menace to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists gumption of foreboding is the feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them liberate for anxiety of damaging their economic relationships with “the worlds” second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Picture: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, questioned a carefully worded proclamation about the anniversary on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson formed no direct mention of thriving anxieties about the erosion of Hong Kongs liberties, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who nursed a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to intervene.

On Friday, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those suspicions, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a transaction negotiated by London and Beijing pledging Hong Kongs way of life for 50 times, was a historical document that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, says activists can no longer count on London or Washington for reinforcement: As long as there is no such thing as blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everybody is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, nonetheless. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are scattered with clusters of pro-government boosters and decorated with banners that read I desire Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong verve. Lilac posters hanging from connections and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining blood-red banners and neon displays that read: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent information, there is also sincere patriotic fervor. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress home countries has constructed, enthused Li Li, a steer at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have saluted the commemoration and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government supporters. The remain couldnt care less about the commemoration, and is very much to be concerned about the traffic jams caused by the massive security operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering grey and off-color obstructions, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too many police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the field, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest numerous young person are showing in Xis visit mark how disconnected they seem from mainland China and how Beijings programmes have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbour thats what they feel, he says, pointing to a recent poll suggesting that only 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest charge since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont is intended to be brainwashed.

For all the indifference and mistrust, Hong Kongs protest motion shall be published in buoyant feeling. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual progress tagging the return to China. Their rallying cry will be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party bureaucrats, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit extremely provocative, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one conqueror called a democratic miracle. However, many of them could now be forced from power, principally because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being blasphemed in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” fannies, then the whole political poise will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, alerts Chu, which was intended to call Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Photo: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would volunteer concedings to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming chairman has pledged to heal the partition and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and tyranny, said Pepper. How she is going to bridge that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last governor, has offered a more upbeat rating of the city he formerly passed, saying he was encouraged by the really profound feel of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I repute I am pleased about the acces in which Hong Kong people themselves are the reason for it still being a reason of optimism rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he granted after Britains withdrawal, says he is an eternal optimist about his movements hazards under a new, young leader. These young people are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his enclosures between a bust of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the epitomize of the 1989 Tiananmen Square declarations, Lee recollects strolling through the umbrella flows main camp, a sprawling of tents and political debate, three days before police lastly cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the ground.[ It was as if they were saying :] I please I were free, you are familiar with? The air was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We craved democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2l1P1Kc via IFTTT

[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over?

As China stiffens its control on the city over which British convention dissolved 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against eroding of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and herald its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an party for something very different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile bursting across his look as he reflects on how many members of the local nobility had been decided to commemorate two decades of Chinese regulation by plastering their houses and professions with patriotic slogans and red flag in the hope, he supposes, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is establishing a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will result celebrations of two decades of Chinese restrict alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ceremony merely down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary explosion of opposition in the autumn of 2014 the pair will remember the moment this city of seven. 3 million tenants turned over to China after 156 years of colonial regulate. A flypast and a ocean procession will follow. By darknes, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal yacht Britannia departed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be decorated by a fantastic 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving party of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back here to the warm cuddle of his mother, is still vivid in our recognition, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But in the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary is accompanied by a profound gumption of misgiving and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and partisans support against the detention of 26 beings reject the Chinese authority. Photo: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the sides of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the ante in its duel for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new manager, who was elected by a tightly restricted pick committee, there will be a restored thrust to enact contentious anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to impres an upbeat color during his visit, recent explains by another elderly Communist party figure who dedicated to consolidate Chinas control of the former settlement has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that among delegations of strength , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists gumption of foreboding is the help feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them loose for panic of injury their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photo: The Guardian

The foreign ministers, Boris Johnson, questioned a carefully worded word about the anniversary on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson shaped no direct mention of growing frights about the corrosion of Hong Kongs discretions, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a neighbourhood bookseller who viewed a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedoms promised to Hong Kongs citizens under the the different countries, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those frights, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a slew negotiated by London and Beijing insuring Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical report that no longer had any practical significance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, says campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for supporting: As long as there is no such thing as blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everybody is mourning Saturdays landmark anniversary, nonetheless. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are scattered with clusters of pro-government partisans and embellished with placards that read I love Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vigour. Lilac signs hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in bright red banners and neon displays that read: Warmly celebrate the 20 th commemoration of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, there is also sincere patriotic enthusiasm. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has obligated, enthused Li Li, a guide at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have greeted the anniversary and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government advocates. The residual couldnt care less about the commemoration, and were most worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white-hot and blue obstructions, with agents patrolling wall street with assault rifles in their hands. Too many police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the place, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest numerous young person are showing in Xis visit underscore how detached they detect from mainland China and how Beijings plans have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they suffer, he says, pointing to a recent canvas suggesting that only 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest frequency since 1997. The young people want democracy. They dont is intended to be brainwashed.

For all the irrelevance and hesitation, Hong Kongs protest movement appears in buoyant humor. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual advance distinguishing the return to China. Their rallying cry will be 20 years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party bureaucrats, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit very provoking, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from power, mainly because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being cuss in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” accommodates, then the whole political counterbalance will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, reminds Chu, who was to scream Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover anniversary. Photograph: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not optimistic that Beijing would give agreements to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming lead has pledged to healed the subdivide and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and dictatorship, said Pepper. How she is going to bridge that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last-place governor, has offered a more upbeat judgment of the city he once extended, saying he was encouraged by the really profound gumption of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I speculate I am pleased about the practice in which Hong Kong parties themselves are the reason for it still being a justification of optimism rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he held after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his pushes hazards under a brand-new, young leader. These young people are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his enclosures between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the token of the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrates, Lee recollects strolling through the umbrella moves main clique, a sprawl of tents and policy debate, three days before police finally cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little fowls singing on the soil.[ It was as if they were saying :] I bid I were free, you know? The air was fresh, he reminisces. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We craved republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over?

As China stiffens its clutch on the city over which British principle discontinued 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against deterioration of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and herald its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an occasion for something very different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile separating across his face as he reflects on how many members of the local society have chosen to observe two decades of Chinese ruler by plastering their houses and jobs with patriotic slogans and red flags in the hope, he believes, of currying financial favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is shaping a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will conduct fetes of two decades of Chinese domination alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ritual exactly down the road from where the umbrella change happened an extraordinary explosion of dissent in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of 7. 3 million inhabitants turned over to China after 156 years of colonial pattern. A flypast and a ocean parade are as follows. By darknes, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal ship Britannia differed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be crystallized by a impressive 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving reason of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back here to the warm embrace of his mother, is still vivid in our remember, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But in the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound feel of hesitation and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and adherents express against the arrest of 26 people reject the Chinese authority. Image: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the sides of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its duel for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which he is one, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs brand-new manager, who was elected by a tightly controlled pick committee, there will be a revitalized pushing to reenact controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to strike an upbeat color during his visit, recent statements by another senior Communist party figure who committed to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that among delegations of dominance , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three agent, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who constituted no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists feel of foreboding is the help feeling that many western governments have now cut them liberate for anxiety of impairing their economic relationships with “the worlds” second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photograph: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, questioned a carefully worded proclamation about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson reached no direct mention of changing suspicions about the erosion of Hong Kongs exemptions, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a neighbourhood bookseller who propped a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the the different countries, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those horrors, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a transaction negotiated by London and Beijing ensure Hong Kongs way of life for 50 times, was a historical report that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for republic, says campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for approval: As long as there is no such thing as blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everyone is deploring Saturdays landmark anniversary, nonetheless. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are scattered with the groups of pro-government adherents and embellished with banners that read I affection Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vigour. Lilac signs hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining ruby-red banners and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent publicity, there is also sincere patriotic enthusiasm. Hong Kong beings should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has moved, enthused Li Li, a guidebook at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have reacted the commemoration and the presidential visit with nonchalance.

Chu estimated that about a third of specific populations was split between pro-democracy and pro-government advocates. The remainder couldnt care less about the anniversary, and is very much worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive protection operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white-hot and blue-blooded barricades, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too many police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the sphere, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest numerous young people are showing in Xis visit mark how detached they appear from mainland China and how Beijings programmes have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they feel, he says, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that exclusively 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest pace since 1997. The young people want democracy. They dont is intended to be brainwashed.

For all the indifference and misgiving, Hong Kongs protest movement appears in buoyant mood. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual parade differentiating the return to China. Their rallying cry will be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officials, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit too provoking, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one conqueror called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from agency, principally because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being asserted in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” tushes, then the whole political counterbalance will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislative term, reminds Chu, which was intended to call Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover anniversary. Image: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not optimistic that Beijing would offer concedings to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming leader has pledged to mended the partition and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and totalitarianism, said Pepper. How she is going to bridge that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last governor, has offered a more upbeat appraisal of the city he formerly flowed, saying he was encouraged by the really profound gumption of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I thoughts I am pleased about the mode in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a effect of optimism rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he established after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his pushes hazards under a new, young leadership. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his enclosures between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the epitomize of the 1989 Tiananmen Square dissents, Lee recollects strolling through the umbrella progress prime clique, a sprawl of tents and political debate, three days before police finally cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the dirt.[ It was as if they were saying :] I care I were free, you know? The breath was fresh, he reminisces. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We craved republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experiment over?

As China stiffens its clutch on the city over which British regulation ceased 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against corrosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and herald its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy legislators, it has become an occasion for something very different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile interrupting across his appearance as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood nobility had been decided to commemorate two decades of Chinese regulation by plastering their homes and firms with patriotic slogans and red flags in the hope, he suspects, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is shaping a rare three-day tour of the former British settlement, will lead revels of two decades of Chinese control alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising rite precisely down the road from where the umbrella change happened an unprecedented rash of disagreement in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of 7. 3 million inhabitants returned to China after 156 years of colonial regulation. A flypast and a ocean ceremony are as follows. By night, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal yacht Britannia started on 1 July 1997, will be decorated by a breathtaking 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving moment of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back here to the warm hug of his mother, is still evocative in our recall, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But for members of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary is accompanied by a profound gumption of mistrust and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and adherents substantiate against the detention of 26 beings opposed to the Chinese authority. Picture: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the handwritings of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is preparing to up the ante in its combat for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which he is one, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs brand-new ruler, who was elected by a tightly restricted pick committee, there will be a revitalized push to ordain contentious anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to ten-strike an upbeat style during his visit, recent statements by another elderly Communist party figure who dedicated to consolidate Chinas control of the former settlement has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of strength , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three agent, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who constituted no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists feel of foreboding is the help feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them liberate for anxiety of shattering their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Picture: The Guardian

The foreign ministers, Boris Johnson, issued a carefully worded proclamation about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson obligated no direct mention of originating frights about the eroding of Hong Kongs liberties, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who maintained a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the the different countries, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those panics, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a spate negotiated by London and Beijing ensure Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical record that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, says activists can no longer count on London or Washington for backing: As long as there is not blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everybody is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, nonetheless. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are flecked with the groups of pro-government adherents and embellished with flags that read I cherish Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vitality. Lilac postings hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in bright red placards and neon displays that read: Warmly celebrate the 20 th commemoration of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, i still have sincere patriotic ardour. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has moved, enthused Li Li, a guidebook at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have reacted the commemoration and the presidential visit with nonchalance.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was split between pro-democracy and pro-government backers. The residue couldnt care less about the anniversary, and is very much worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive defence operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering lily-white and off-color barricades, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the place, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest many young people are showing in Xis visit mark how disconnected they experience from mainland China and how Beijings programs have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbour thats what they perceive, he says, pointing to a recent poll suggesting that merely 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest charge since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the carelessnes and mistrust, Hong Kongs protest movement shall be published in buoyant feeling. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual advance tagging the return to China. Their war cry will be 20 years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officers, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit extremely provoking, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one conqueror called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from office, principally because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being attested in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” benches, then the whole political balance will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislative term, alerts Chu, who was to scream Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Photo: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would offer concedings to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming chairman has pledged to mended the partition and build bridges. This is a bridge between republic and dictatorship, said Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last-place superintendent, has offered a more upbeat evaluation of the city he once loped, saying he was encouraged by the really profound sense of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I think I am pleased about the acces in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a case of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of republic that he demonstrated after Britains withdrawal, says he is an eternal optimist about his motions opportunities under a brand-new, young leadership. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his chambers between a bust of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the symbol of the 1989 Tiananmen Square complains, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella moves main clique, a sprawl of tents and political debate, three days before police ultimately cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the soil.[ It was as if they were saying :] I please I were free, you know? The breath was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experiment over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We craved democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over?

As China stiffens its traction on the city over which British convention intent 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against erosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and acclaim its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy legislators, it has become an party for something totally different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he suggests, a smile smashing across his look as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood nobility have chosen to celebrate two decades of Chinese convention by plastering their homes and enterprises with patriotic slogans and red flag in the hope, he supposes, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is forming a rare three-day tour of the former British settlement, will result fetes of two decades of Chinese ascendancy alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising formality just down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary rash of difference in the autumn of 2014 the pair will remember the moment this city of 7. 3 million tenants turned over to China after 156 years of colonial govern. A flypast and a sea parade are as follows. By night, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal yacht Britannia differed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be illuminated by a dazzling 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving opportunity of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated infant coming back here to the heated embrace of his mother, is still color in our recollection, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But of the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound sense of uncertainty and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and partisans express against the two arrested of 26 parties opposed to the Chinese government. Photograph: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the sides of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the ante in its combat for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new commander, who was elected by a tightly limited collection committee, there will be a regenerated pushing to legislate contentious anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to strike an upbeat tint during his visit, recent remarks by another senior Communist party figure who dedicated to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of ability , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, supposed, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by the individuals who posed no menace to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists appreciation of foreboding is the feeling that many western governments have now cut them release for fear of damaging their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photograph: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, questioned a carefully worded account about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson realized no direct mention of thriving horrors about the deterioration of Hong Kongs liberties, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who harboured a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, tells Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like many, Lee is convinced that China is gradually stripping away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the the different countries, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those frights, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a deal negotiated by London and Beijing securing Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical record that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, tells campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for assist: As long as there is not blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everyone is mourning Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are speck with the groups of pro-government backers and decorated with flags that read I affection Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vitality. Lilac postings hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining cherry-red flags and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, there is also genuine patriotic ardour. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has stirred, enthused Li Li, a template at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have reacted the anniversary and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government boosters. The residual couldnt care less about the commemoration, and were most to be concerned about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white and off-color obstructions, with agents patrolling wall street with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the orbit, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee reads the lack of interest many young people are showing in Xis visit underscore how unplugged they experience from mainland China and how Beijings plans have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbour thats what they experience, he adds, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that only 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest charge since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the insignificance and confusion, Hong Kongs protest movement shall be published in buoyant feeling. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual procession recognizing the return to China. Their rallying cry will be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officials, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit more provocative, replies Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. However, many of them could now be forced from power, primarily because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took its participation in while being blasphemed in last year.

If two to three of them lose their sets, then the whole political equilibrium will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, warns Chu, which was intended to scream Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Image: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would give concessions to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming ruler has pledged to healed the segment and build bridges. This is a bridge between republic and dictatorship, told Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last minister, has offered a more upbeat rating of the city he once guided, saying he was encouraged by the really profound gumption of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I contemplate I am pleased about the way in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a reason of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of republic that he rendered after Britains withdrawal, says he is an eternal optimist about his flows opportunities under a new, young leader. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his chambers between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the symbol of the 1989 Tiananmen Square declarations, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella shifts main clique, a sprawling of tents and political debate, three days before police ultimately cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little chicks singing on the field.[ It was as if they were saying :] I wish I were free, you know? The breeze was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We craved democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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[vitalmindandbody]

‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over?

As China tightens its control on the city over which British convention objective 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against erosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and hail its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an opportunity for something totally different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he reads, a smile divulging across his appearance as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood elite have chosen to mark two decades of Chinese convention by plastering their the house and business with patriotic slogans and red flags in the hope, he supposes, of currying financial favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see republic. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is forming a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will contribute fetes of two decades of Chinese restrict alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ritual simply down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary outburst of disagreement in the autumn of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of 7. 3 million tenants returned to China after 156 years of colonial govern. A flypast and a sea procession are as follows. By darknes, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the imperial yacht Britannia started on 1 July 1997, is likely to be illuminated by a stunning 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving reason of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated juvenile coming back here to the warm embracing of his mother, is still evocative in our remember, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But of the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound feel of hesitation and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and partisans illustrate against the arrest of 26 beings opposed to the Chinese authority. Image: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty years after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the mitts of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the ante in its duel for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new governor, who was elected by a tightly restrained selection committee, there will be a revamped pushing to pass contentious anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to strike an upbeat tint during his visit, recent comments by another senior Communist party figure who vowed to consolidate Chinas control of the former settlement has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of ability , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, enunciated, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists appreciation of foreboding is the feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them loose for fright of marring their economic relationships with “the worlds” second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photo: The Guardian

The foreign ministers, Boris Johnson, problem a carefully worded announcement about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson prepared no direct mention of thriving dreads about the erosion of Hong Kongs freedoms, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who impounded a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, tells Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually stripping away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens under the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those horrors, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a deal negotiated by London and Beijing securing Hong Kongs way of life for 50 times, was a historical record that no longer had any practical meaning.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, supposes activists can no longer count on London or Washington for aid: As long as there is not blood in the street, they dont care.

Not everyone is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are dotted with the groups of pro-government allies and decorated with banners that read I love Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong verve. Lilac posters hanging from connections and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining crimson banners and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent publicity, there is also sincere patriotic fervour. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has seen, enthused Li Li, a guide at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been made in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have saluted the commemoration and the presidential visit with nonchalance.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government supporters. The rest couldnt care less about the anniversary, and were most worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive defence operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white and blue-blooded barricades, with agents patrolling wall street with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the region, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee announces the lack of interest many young person are showing in Xis visit stres how detached they experience from mainland China and how Beijings plans have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they appear, he supposes, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that merely 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest pace since 1997. The young people want democracy. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the insignificance and confusion, Hong Kongs protest change shall be published in buoyant humor. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual progress recognizing the return to China. Their rallying cry is likely to be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officials, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit more provocative, suggests Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from part, mainly because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being affirmed in last year.

If two to three of them lose their posteriors, then the whole political offset will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, forewarns Chu, who was to call Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover anniversary. Photograph: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would give concessions to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming commander has pledged to mended the subdivide and build bridges. This is a bridge between republic and tyranny, said Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last-place governor, has offered a more upbeat rating of the city he formerly loped, saying he was encouraged by the really profound gumption of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I visualize I am pleased about the acces in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a lawsuit of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of republic that he sacrificed after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his shifts opportunities under a new, young leadership. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his enclosures between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the emblem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square declarations, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella actions central camp, a sprawling of tents and policy debate, three days before police eventually cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the field.[ It was as if they were saying :] I please I were free, you are familiar with? The breath was fresh, he reminisces. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over?

As China stiffens its traction on the city over which British regulate ended 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against erosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and hail its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an moment for something quite different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he reads, a smile break-dance across his appearance as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood upper-clas had been decided to marking two decades of Chinese regulate by plastering their the house and firms with patriotic slogans and red flags in the hope, he supposes, of currying financial favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is becoming a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will guide observances of two decades of Chinese command alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ceremony only down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary eruption of dissent in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of seven. 3 million residents returned to China after 156 years of colonial principle. A flypast and a sea parade will follow. By darknes, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal ship Britannia differed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be crystallized by a stunning 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving party of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated infant coming back to the heated espouse of his mother, is still vivid in our retention, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But for members of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound feel of mistrust and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and partisans substantiate against the two arrested of 26 parties opposes this Chinese government. Photograph: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the hands of a Leninist dictatorship, campaigners such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its combat for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs brand-new governor, who was elected by a tightly restrained selection committee, there will be a revitalized move to ordain controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to ten-strike an upbeat color during his visit, recent commentaries by another elderly Communist party figure who swore to consolidate Chinas control of the former settlement has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of power , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, articulated, adding that Hong Kong could have been be governed by those who posed no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists appreciation of foreboding is the be thought that numerous western governments have now cut them release for suspicion of damaging their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photograph: The Guardian

The foreign ministers, Boris Johnson, problem a carefully worded word about the anniversary on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson made no direct mention of thriving horrors about the eroding of Hong Kongs impunities, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who braced a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, suggests Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedoms promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to intervene.

On Friday, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those suspicions, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a cope negotiated by London and Beijing pledging Hong Kongs way of life for 50 times, was a historical report that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, supposes activists can no longer count on London or Washington for supporter: As long as there is not blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everybody is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, nonetheless. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are flecked with clusters of pro-government backers and embellished with placards that read I affection Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong sparkle. Lilac posters hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining red banners and neon displays that read: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent information, there is also genuine patriotic enthusiasm. Hong Kong parties should be proud of the attainment of the motherland and all the progress our country has cleared, enthused Li Li, a guidebook at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been made in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have reacted the anniversary and the presidential visit with nonchalance.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government backers. The rest couldnt care less about the commemoration, and were most to be concerned about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering grey and off-color obstructions, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too many police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the orbit, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee remarks the lack of interest many young person are showing in Xis visit stres how detached they appear from mainland China and how Beijings programs have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbour thats what they seem, he replies, pointing to a recent canvas suggesting that merely 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest pace since 1997. The young people want democracy. They dont is intended to be brainwashed.

For all the phlegm and indecision, Hong Kongs protest flow appears in buoyant humor. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual parade distinguishing the return to China. Their war cry is likely to be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officials, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit extremely provocative, tells Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. However, many of them could now be forced from place, principally because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being cuss in last year.

If two to three of them “losing ones” benches, then the whole political counterbalance will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislative term, alarms Chu, who was to call Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Picture: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not optimistic that Beijing would give concessions to activists, even though Hong Kongs incoming ruler has pledged to heal the partition and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and totalitarianism, supposed Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last-place governor, has offered a more upbeat evaluation of the city he once led, saying he was encouraged by the really profound feel of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I guess I am pleased about the route in which Hong Kong parties themselves are the reason for it still being a generate of optimism rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of republic that he afforded after Britains withdrawal, says he is an eternal optimist about his pushes hazards under a brand-new, young leadership. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his enclosures between a bust of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the typify of the 1989 Tiananmen Square declarations, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella changes primary camp, a sprawl of tents and political debate, three days before police lastly cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little chicks singing on the ground.[ It was as if they were saying :] I care I were free, you know? The breath was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

The post ‘ We required republic ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over? appeared first on vitalmindandbody.com.

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