We, too, understand the risks of standing up against authorities. The government has cracked down on pro-democracy groups in recent years, outlawing a political party and imprisoning leaders of the pro-democracy movement — one of us included. But we have continued our fight because we know what is at stake: Hong Kong’s freedom, democratic rights and position of global relevance.
Although Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, has temporarily suspended the bill, she still refuses to comply with people’s demands to withdraw it. The city’s police commissioner, Stephen Lo, still refuses to rescind arrests on charges of rioting, and has not apologized or taken responsibility for the police’s attacks on protesters. These actions show that the authorities do not understand their mistakes.
The extradition bill has attracted so much international attention precisely because of its damaging effects on Hong Kong’s international reputation. Since the handover from British governance in 1997, Hong Kong was allowed to implement a “one country, two systems” framework until 2047, making it an important portal into China for foreign businesses and investors.
Despite the fact that it has benefited from Hong Kong’s position, Beijing has continually tried to bend the rules, disqualifying elected legislators, trying to reinterpret Hong Kong’s Basic Law and constructing large-scale infrastructure in an attempt to integrate Hong Kong with other nearby mainland cities.
Hong Kong, however, has still managed to hold onto its independence. The extradition bill threatens that, making people of all nationalities vulnerable to being surrendered to China.
Already, foreign politicians are acknowledging the importance of the case. In Congress, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) recently introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the rights in Hong Kong. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also said that if the extradition bill passed, the United States would have to reevaluate the level of Hong Kong’s autonomy from China and whether it is still eligible for trading privileges.
Beijing, as usual, is upset by what it sees as “foreign interference” — though it is in fact Hong Kongers who stood up on their own against the extradition bill. Still, these statements put pressure on China and give it an incentive to resolve the controversy before other governments take it up.
The fact of the matter is that the Hong Kong government’s rash decision to push forward with the bill comes at a pivotal juncture for China. The Group of 20 summit, which will take place in Osaka, Japan, at the end of June and is being held in the midst of an escalating trade war between the United States and China, will be key for Beijing.
In an earlier interview, President Trump said he was sure Hong Kong and China would be able to “work it out.” China’s Foreign Ministry expressed its appreciation for the president’s comment. But if protests continue during the G-20 summit as a result of the Hong Kong government’s failure to react responsibly, it would inevitably make things awkward for China. Governments should take the opportunity to bring up Hong Kong’s case and emphasize that it would be in China’s interest to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy.
And Hong Kong is not just relevant to U.S.-China relations. Take the host of the G-20 summit, Japan, for example: In early 2019, Japan’s exports to China had already fallen by 17.4 percent compared to last year, a result of China’s slowing economic growth. Against this backdrop, improving economic and trade relations might be the trick to easing tensions — and Hong Kong, as a bridge into China and an international hub, could be the key to success.
The Hong Kong government’s extradition bill has already become a problem that China has to face during the upcoming summit. Lam and Beijing should pause and realize that they don’t want to aggravate their relationship with Hong Kongers — and by extension, much of the world — by making decisions on a whim.
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