China Takes Over Hong Kong Elections

The Hong Kong Democracy Protest started in 2019-2020 when the Chinese Government promoted a bill that allowed the extradition of individuals and foreigners from Hong Kong to other nations around the world. The Pro-Democracy protesters are afraid that the Chinese Government will extradite individuals from Hong Kong to Mainland China without a fair trial.

On June 9th, 2019, the Pro-Democracy individuals began mass protests with a 1-million-man march. Carrie Lam, the executive of Hong Kong initially resisted withdrawing the bill until a series of violent protests successfully declared the bill dead on July 9^th, but under Hong Kong law, the government could resurrect the bill in 12 days. Not satisfied, the protests continued

The Chinese government wasted no time in suppressing the Pro-Democracy Protestors and their leaders. The Chinese Government sent in approximately 6,000-10,000 solider and military vehicles into Shenzhen and the surrounding Hong Kong Territory. In October 2019, thousands of well-armed police officers flooded the streets of Hong Kong to suppress the protestor and quell distance.

The Hong Kong Police Department drafted an additional 6,000 police to suppress the Hong Kong Democracy Protests. During the crackdown, the Hong Kong Police have detained and arrested over 10,000 individuals.  To assist in the crackdown the Chinese Government implemented a Chinese national security bill that would allow the Chinese Government to arrest political dissenters. It also allows the Chinese Government to try them and sentence them to 10 years to life in prison.

The Chinese National Legislature approved a proposal that would give the Chinese Government veto power over Hong Kong elections. The proposal gives the CCP the ability to approve or veto candidates that run for office in Hong Kong. According to Frontline, the CCP did this to ensure that only “patriots” run for office in Hong Kong. In other words, only individuals that support the CCP may for office in Hong Kong. This measure ensures that the CCP will remain in control of the Hong Kong Government and takes the voice away from the people in Hong Kong.