Getting to Democracy in Hong Kong

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Other

Getting to Democracy in Hong Kong

Recognizing the growing public demand for democratization, the communist leadership of Beijing is prepared to enter a dialogue with Hong Kong democrats. Some in the U.S. Congress want to show solidarity with Hong Kong democrats and toughness toward Beijing by removing beneficial economic treatment that Hong Kong receives. This would be a mistake; better options exist.

By Mei Ying Gechlik (Veron Hung)

Published on Aug 15, 2004

Source: Carnegie Endowment

Demonstrations in Hong Kong highlight the ongoing struggle between its citizens and Chinese leaders over the course of democratization there. The United States has substantial economic stakes in Hong Kong, which would be threatened by political crisis. U.S. investment and trade interests depend on preservation of the rule of law in Hong Kong, while Hong Kong also is a bellwether for the political evolution of Greater China, including Taiwan.

Recognizing the growing public demand for democratization, the communist leadership of Beijing is prepared to enter a dialogue with Hong Kong democrats. However, the democrats’ leverage depends on their performance in the September 12 legislative elections. Some in the U.S. Congress want to show solidarity with Hong Kong democrats and toughness toward Beijing by removing beneficial economic treatment that Hong Kong receives. This would be a mistake; better options exist for Americans to help democratization in Hong Kong.

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About the Author
Veron Hung is an associate in the Carnegie Endowment’s China Program. She received her doctorate from Stanford University and has in-depth experience in Chinese law, and law and politics in the Asia-Pacific region. She is the author of China's WTO Commitment on Independent Judicial Review (Carnegie Paper No. 32).

About the Author

Mei Ying Gechlik (Veron Hung)

Former Non-Resident Associate

Recent Work

Paper
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in Chinese Courts: An Analysis of Recent Patent Judgments
- Mei Ying Gechlik (Veron Hung)
Paper
Judicial Reform in China: Lessons from Shanghai
- Mei Ying Gechlik (Veron Hung)

Political Reform Democracy Economy Military East Asia China

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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