Comments on: Hong Kong's residents find protesting voice

By: Michal García

Michal García — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:43:44 +0000

There was a massive protest/parade lasting around 8 hours on July 1, near my apartment in Wan Chai. That, plus the June 4 protests (against the covering up of the Tiananmen Square Massacre) show me that a plethora of Hong Kongers care about the issue. The mainland Chinese protesting in Hong Kong also show me that if China were a more open country (and people didn't fear imprisonment among other punishment) the world would see much more protesting AND positive change.
It's my view that the people protesting love China the most. I feel the same way about Iran. I also agree with Jon C that this story "deserves to be featured more prominently." This is where history is being made: democracy through social media and peaceful protest.

By: Jon C

Jon C — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:37:32 +0000

I'm glad this story is on CNN, but I think it deserves to be featured more prominently. People need to know that Hong Kong people are fighting for democracy. People in America especially need to know more about the world outside their borders. People need to know that despite being part of China, Hong Kong is NOT China. We have a similar yet different culture, we speak different languages, we have a high level of diversity which I love, we have a desire for democracy, freedom, and human rights, and we have a right to demand what we want. People need to know that there are places where freedom is respected.

Regarding the Marches, some people might say that 'most people don't care'. But in a democracy, the people that DO care are still able to voice their opinions. And I think the fact that hundreds of thousands of us show up for the march despite it being an 'annual' occurance just shows the level of our resolve.

Democracy in HK. We want it. We can do it. We need it.

By: PHILIPPE M. MOISAN

PHILIPPE M. MOISAN — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:23:47 +0000

These protests act as an important pressure release valve...

Hong Kong is a mature First World society. Yet it lags behind peer societies as concerns equality... The executive-driven model of government is constituted without ANY consultation of the Hong Kong population, and is expressly predicated on the assertion that Hong Kong citizens, amongst the best educated, most cohesive & community-oriented in the World, are not yet mature enough to choose their own government. Aside from dictatorships, are there any countries in the World in which the government actually tells the citizens that they are too stupid to earn the vote?

Thank goodness that the HK government understands that citizens need a forum to vent their feelings about such a ludicrous state of affairs.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:26:17 +0000

These protests are more of a warning to Donald Tsang to listen to the Hong Kong people than it is for the chinese government. Admittedly, recent marches have seen relatively few participants, however, its also a tool that the people uses to keep the Hong Kong government in line. These protests are very dynamic and is capable of flaring up to massive numbers to the likes of the protest back in 2003.

By: Yolene

Yolene — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:45:29 +0000

FREE dissident Liu Xiaobo ~ !!

We need liberty of speech !!!

By: Julius Chan

Julius Chan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:35:23 +0000

Most Hong Kong people don't bother with these protests. China have seen massive progress over the last 30 years.

By: James

James — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:10:44 +0000

There is activism every year on this date. There really isn't anything different this year, other than Ms. Anson Chan continuing her pursuit of her political ambitions.