Hong Kong :: essays research papers fc

Hong Kong It’s March of 1997, and a political cartoonist who goes by the pen name â€Å"Zunzi†, sketches in a cafe in Hong Kong. Many Americans take this right for granted. Zunzi, however, is thankful that his newspaper is among the few that have avoided self-censoring as the Chinese take-over approaches, bringing with it harsh censorship laws. He draws a picture of a smiling man outfitted in the lower half of a dog costume, preparing to put on it’s head. The man symbolizes wealthy businessmen in Hong Kong, and the costume symbolizes their willingness to obey Beijing by assuming positions of power, such as the Preparatory Committee and the Provisional Legislature. They change their costume and identity in whichever group they are in while remaining loyal to China by acting as China’s â€Å"puppets†. This way, China has a strong grip on political affairs in Hong Kong. Zunzi is aware his days in Hong Kong are limited (Sesser 21). As China takes over many l aws that restrict Hong Kong’s free speech are being put into effect, causing uneasiness among citizens. Despite China’s attempt to control, Hong Kong citizens struggle to maintain the democratic lifestyle to which they are accustomed. The Chinese government’s restriction of free speech has oppressed many citizens of Hong Kong. Before the hand-over on July 1, 1997, a vigil was held in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park for the victims of the June 4, 1989 massacre at Tianemen Square. Fifty-thousand people attended the vigil, which remembered those who died while rallying for democracy. Said pro-democracy campaigner Szeto Wah, â€Å"Tonight. we are again using sparks of candlelight, solidified drops of ‘tears,’ to remember you and mourn you." However, demonstrations like this are not looked on by approval by the new government that will come with the hand-over. The soon-to-be executive chief Tung Chee-hwa expressed his disapproval of the vigil by saying that it is â€Å"...time to set aside the burden of June 4†. New laws proposed by the Provisional Legislative Council required demonstrations and societies to register with the government. Those considered dangerous to national security will be banned (Baird 30). These new lawsthreaten to make demonstrations like the one held in Victoria Park impossible. The disapproval and Tung Chee-hwa and the emergence of restrictive laws pose a threat to citizens who value their right to free speech. Hong Kong citizens fear expressing themselves through art because of China’s control.