Andrew Wedeman, professor of political science at Georgia State University's Asian Studies Center, is available to discuss the recent protests in Hong Kong and what the central Chinese government may do in response if they ramp back up.
Wedeman said:
"Where things go from here is far from clear. If the protests slowly fizzle over the next few days, it seems likely that the government will continue to stonewall. At most, it will agree to talks with protests leaders but is unlikely to make real concessions. If, on the other hand, the protests were to rekindle, the possibility for a serious confrontation with Beijing would arise once again. So far, Beijing has pretty much allowed the Hong Kong government and the local police to take the lead in dealing with the protests.
"If Beijing were to come to fear that the situation was getting out of hand or that the Hong Kong government was wavering, it could order the units of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stationed in the territory to suppress further protests. Putting the PLA on the streets could have serious political and economic repercussions. It appears, therefore, that Beijing will hold back and will continue to let the Hong Kong government deal with the protests. But even if the protests end peacefully, if the Hong Kong government does not somehow address the underlying causes of the territory’s malaise, the conditions that triggered this round of protests will continue to create the potential for new – and perhaps more serious – protests."
Wedeman's publications include "Double Paradox: Rapid Growth and Rising Corruption in China," "From Mao to Market: Rent Seeking, Local Protectionism, and Marketization in China," in addition to articles in academic journals including China Quarterly, Journal of Contemporary China; and China Review; and chapters in numerous edited volumes. Wedeman is now beginning a new book project examining social unrest in China.
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