1. Hong Kong’s Democracy Debate Hattie Fisher POL 337

2. A (very) Brief History of Hong Kong 1842: First Opium War, Hong Kong ceded to Great Britain 1898-1941: period of war and instability during Sino- Japanese war and WWII 1946: Britain re-establishes governance; refugees from China’s civil war 1970s: Hong Kong established as an economic powerhouse of Asia 1997: Hong Kong returned to China as Special Administrative Region; “One Country, Two Systems” rule Beijing promises Hong Kong direct elections for leader in 2017 and legislators by 2020

3. Hong Kong’s Side of the Debate China promised direct democratic elections This committee is more likely to approve Beijing loyalist candidates But, Pro-Beijing Groups and the Hong Kong government position support China’s ruling

4. China’s Side of the Debate Keep Hong Kong under Chinese control Still upholding their promise– democracy should be a gradual process China itself moving away from democratic reform Ruling is legal by Hong Kong law

5. Why is this Important? Destabilize Hong Kong Harmful to China-Hong Kong relations Harmful to Britain-China relations

6. Sources "China Media: Hong Kong Ruling." BBC News. BBC News, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.. "Hong Kong Profile." BBC News. BBC News, 23 July 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.. "Hong Kong's Democracy Debate." BBC News. BBC News, 31 Aug. 2014. Web. 03 Sept. 2014.. Kuenssberg, Laura. "China Accuses MPs of 'interference'" BBC News. BBC News, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.. "NPC Decides on Nominating Committee for HKSAR Chief Executive Selection - Xinhua | English.news.cn." NPC Decides on Nominating Committee for HKSAR Chief Executive Selection - Xinhua | English.news.cn. Government of the People's Republic of China, 31 Aug. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.. "Official Heckled amid HK Poll Anger." BBC News. BBC News, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014..