The Myth of Hong Kong’s Collapsing Autonomy (Pre-Recorded)

• In Event: Protest, Democracy, and Autonomy: The Case of Hong Kong

Abstract

Many argue that Hong Kong’s autonomy from China is either dead or collapsing. Some contend that Hong Kong’s autonomy was “dead on arrival” after authority over the territory was transferred to authoritarian China in 1997. Still others argue that Hong Kong has some autonomy for now but that overtime Hong Kong will succumb to increasing degrees of sameness with the mainland, with the Central Government ultimately succeeding in usurping the territory’s autonomy. Despite such arguments, this paper will argue that Hong Kong’s autonomy is neither dead nor collapsing. Rather, evidence indicates that in spite of real challenges posed by its relationship with China, the overall status of Hong Kong's autonomy shows signs of being battered, but very much alive and resistant to many mainland encroachments.

Author

• David A. Rezvani