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With Hong Kong having previously been a former colony of the United Kingdom you
would naturally think there would be long lasting cultural and legislative influence from its
former mother country. However, upon gaining its freedom under the ruse of forming a
democratic rule the capital city remains widely restrained and influence by China. With Hong
Kong’s has a unique makeup in comparison to many of its sistering countries it mixes the
traditional cultural influences of China with more western ideas. In particular freedom of
democracy mixes with the stricter authoritarian influences. As one of the last places that holds
“relative freedom” it is important that activist use Hong Kong as a possible starting point to full
universal suffrage.
As it relates to the Chinese youth, issues of politics and policy once drew very little
interest. However, in past years the problems of their parents’ generation have touched the hearts
and mind of many students as they push for reform. This all started when China pushed for “pro-
communist National and Moral Education” (Chan 2014, 2) in a culture which puts a significant
value on education. With a direct effect on students this sparked a movement to standup for
freedom and suffrage within the education system and beyond. In light of the proposed policies,
a large protest group called scholarism formed under the leadership of Joshua Wong. As a result,
they were able to rally their community together to protest which would result in the eventual
withdraw of the proposed Chinese mandated curriculum. Not only have Wong and his fellow
student constituents influenced their community with physical policy/government change, but
they have also begun to transform a mindset that many citizens have been oppressed under for
the last 65 years. This mindset of submission and complete obedience has existed since
Tiananmen Square protests (1989) and have utilized fear to control its citizens. However, In light
of the student protest the citizens of Hong Kong have begun to realize there power and ability to
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be the “seed of fire”(Chan 2014, 4) which spreads universal suffrage which Wong so
passionately advocates for, across the entire Chinese mainland.
In learning the cultural norms, influences and shifting power dynamics of those living in
the Chinese city of Hong Kong there are multiple things I would consider when trying to reach
the youth. First, the youth is most likely to form views and respond to things that they feel like
have a direct or future influence on them. This is made evidently clear through the uprising of
students against what they viewed as negative or restrictive curriculum being integrated within
their school systems by the government. The second thing I would consider in reaching out to
students in Hong Kong is their desire to be seen. This is characteristic of much of the youth
anywhere you go but is even more clear in Hong Kong as the government attempts to restrict
even more of its citizens voices. The large turnouts of students within the Scholarism protests
speaks not only to the cause being a worthy one. Additionally, this speaks to the Hongkongers
desire to have a say in the state of their city and country. This is a desire that has been largely
suppressed since the 1980’s by submissive nature which the Chinese government has expected
and enforced through fear. Lastly, I would acknowledge that the focus of many students strays
from the common and one-sided interests of academics. In many Hong Kong students’ cases they
are viewed as a catalyst for political change and universal suffrage making their effort split
between multiple things. In this, understanding and support of what may be a slightly
unconventional approach when compared to many American students.
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Bibliography
Chan, Wilfred, and Yuli Yang. “Echoing Tiananmen, 17-Year-Old Hong Kong Student Prepares
for Democracy Battle.” CNN. Cable News Network, September 21, 2014. Last modified
September 21, 2014. Accessed March 27, 2023.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/hong-kong-joshua-wong-democracy-
protest/index.html.
MacLeod, Calum. “Meet the 17-Year-Old Leading Hong Kong's Protests.” USA Today. Gannett
Satellite Information Network, October 2, 2014. Last modified October 2, 2014. Accessed
March 27, 2023. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/10/01/joshua-wong-
hong-kong-pro-democracy-protests/16527733/.
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