As Hong Kong authorities ratchet up their response to pro-democracy protestors, China expert and Associate Professor of Government Allen Carlson of Cornell University says the conflict is headed in an ominous direction.
Carlson says:
“Over the last several days ominous signs have begun to accrue that all sides in the current dispute over Hong Kong’s political future are becoming increasingly impatient with the current impasse there.
“Protestors are increasingly distrustful of the Hong Kong government following its decision to renege on its promise to talk with leaders from the Occupy Movement.
“Political authorities on the island have voiced growing frustration with what they view as the protestors’ intransigence on fundamental issues.
“In addition, some segments of Hong Kong society are becoming fed-up with the imbroglio. A small, vocal, pro-Beijing, minority within this larger population has even taken matters into their own hands and attempted to forcefully bring an end to the protests. While it is unclear how wide support for the anti-protest movement is, its existence adds yet another volatile element to the standoff.
“Meanwhile China’s leaders have made it ever more clear that they have no intention of giving ground to the protesters. On the contrary, in recent days Beijing has begun to escalate a campaign intended to question the loyalty and patriotism of those protesting, and suggest that they are being manipulated by insidious foreign influences bent on challenging and subverting the Chinese state.
“In short, the positions of all sides are becoming more intransigent, and tempers are rising. It appears that we are edging toward a dangerous endgame in this chapter of the protest movement, one that is highly unlikely to lead to an auspicious result, and could be calamitous for all involved.”
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