I myself have absolutely no problem with HKers wanting to have more freedom. I am ok with them protesting on the streets.
However, I do have a huge problem with some of them claiming not to be Chinese. Unlike Taiwan, where there had been some gray areas (especially concerning the aboriginals living on the island way before China took control of the island >400 years ago), Hong Kong has always been part of China. Even the British recognized this fact when they were the colonial power controlling HK. That’s why they had to return HK back to China when the lease was up, despite that fact that the British wanted to keep HK for themselves.
HK people had always identified themselves as Chinese. HK’s Chinese history drama in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s have been considered as classics and the golden standard of Chinese ancient history drama.
As the saying goes, they may hate the government, but they love the country. Similarly, HKers may hate the PRC, but they should never separate themselves from being Chinese.
An earlier article talks about an international student from HK feeling uncomfortable being referred to as being from “Hong Kong, China”. This, to me, would be unacceptable. The term “Hong Kong, China” is legally, politically, historically and socially correct in every sense of the word. HKers are Chinese in every sense of the definition. No matter how anyone spins it.
The HKer in the article considers themselves the same as Tibet and Taiwan. HK is very different in the sense that HK has always been offficially and legally part of China. Even the most staunched supporters of the Taiwan independence acknowledge that Taiwan and HK are very different. Most of the supporters of the Taiwan independence movement consider HK as a Chinese territory colonized by the British. They always proudly claim that “we have independence, but they (HKers) have never had independence.
Even one of the main leaders of the protest made a statement today that he is not seeking Hong Kong independence. That means he acknowledges that HK is part of China. Then HKers are Chinese. “Hong Kong, China” is an absolutely 100% correct description.
I agree with most of your text. But I'll take issues with a couple of things.
1st and easy one to inform you with is that:
Independence IS one of the 5 demands demanded by the protestors.
2nd, it is false (mostly western MSM narratives) to assume ALL Hong Kongers and Taiwanise wanting idenpendence!
Hong Kong 1st, with the exception of a very tiny minority, Hong Kongers that now seek independence because their hatred towards the CCP.
If, China, say all of sudden become democratic, or change to nationalist. Majority of those calling for independence will quickly drop their demand, and would happly call themselves chinese again.
With regards to Taiwan, come on, officialy, Taiwan is the republic of China! (ROC). And as such still claim Mainland China, HONG KONG, southsea islands and the daiyous!
The reasons some in Taiwan is callung for "independence " is because the see the prospect of ever ruling ALL of China as remote.
If PRC callapses tomorrow, and Taiwan are invited back to govern all of China again, I bet you my last dollar, all calls for independence will disappear!
Because Taiwan still claims Hong Kong as part of its territory, that's probably why that Joshua Wong got a rough reception in Taiwan where he flee to the other day.