By Nick Baum
WEDENSDAY – 10/2/19
Protests and riots alike erupted throughout Hong Kong yesterday in response to the People’s Republic of China (or mainland China) celebrating its 70th independence day, as the country was founded October 1, 1949. Police and military force was used in order to calm the protests and riots, with one protestor even being shot in the chest during confrontation, the first time lethal force was used in a protest of this issue in 17 weeks.
Meanwhile in mainland China, celebrations sprang in major cities to celebrate the country’s milestone. According to CNN, in the weeks leading up to the anniversary China censored more and more material in order to promote the event. A staggering 1.2 billion tuned into China’s state media to watch its national parade unfold in Beijing.
Hong Kong is an official part of mainland China, but the two agreed that until 2047 Hong Kong can have a different economic and social system than China. Hong Kong’s system is more capitalist and western, ratifying the freedom of speech, assembly, and religion as part of its government whereas China hasn’t guaranteed those rights. Currently, Hong Kong’s protests are against any intrusion of its system by China.
Sources and Pictures: CNN, CCTV, Nikkei Asian Review
