The news of Hong Kong Police using tear gas to disperse crowds aimed at occupying government buildings and public spaces to protest against Beijing rules on how Hong Kong residents vote for its next leaders are plastered on the first page of all the major news site today. The Wall Street Journal, for example, has this story. HONG KONG—In the harshest response against … [Read more...] about What is Your Take on Hong Kong Police Breaking Up Protesters Occupying Government Buildings and Public Spaces?
democracy
The Scotland Referendum and What it might teach us about Democracy
By the now, the results are in. Scotland has just rejected secession from U.K. in a historic referendum. There have been impassioned" pleas on both sides, but through it all, Scotland will remain a part of the U.K. If mainstream media is to be trusted, a big sigh of relief is heard around the world. Personally I have no feeling one way or another although I will admit, … [Read more...] about The Scotland Referendum and What it might teach us about Democracy
Democracy Mission – A Conspiracy Theory
This is a reprint from an old post that I think readers of this blog might find interesting. Whatever the merits of democracy, I’m more curious about its evangelical preachers. Democracy is a vague term, like “Christendom”, “Islamic World”, or “the West”. Besides the democratic banner, the political landscapes of the USA, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, India. . . don’t share … [Read more...] about Democracy Mission – A Conspiracy Theory
Growing anti-Beijing sentiment is shifting focus away from Hong Kong’s real problems
Hong Kong saw another big demonstration on July 1, when more than 100,000 people marched against the local government and Beijing. Despite having established an even closer economic relationship with mainland China since the handover, anti-Beijing sentiment has now become prevalent in the special administrative region. But this is a manufactured problem. Beijing has been … [Read more...] about Growing anti-Beijing sentiment is shifting focus away from Hong Kong’s real problems
Chinese Government Tightens Constraints on Press Freedom
Oh no ... the Chinese government is at it again. The New York Times is running on its front page today an article with the ominous title "Chinese Government Tightens Constraints on Press Freedom." Here is the full text of the article. HONG KONG — China introduced new restrictions on what the government has called “critical” news articles and barred Chinese journalists from … [Read more...] about Chinese Government Tightens Constraints on Press Freedom