HK has never, in its existence, had democracy (well, universal suffrage). However, as part of the agreement between China and the UK, HK was supposed to be allowed universal suffrage "within reasonable time", in 2007 the courts ruled that by 2017 would account for "reasonable time".

However, China is offering an election among one of three people that they effectively chose to be Chief Executive of HK.

Technically speaking, this is a lot closer to democracy than they had before, as previous CE's were voted on by an election committee, not by the people.

Yeah, I'm ignoring these wider contexts. I do not think a bank deal between China and these other nations have any real weight on Hong Kong, which has it's own banking and stock exchange system. The people should have the right to choose the people that represent them to the rest of China, that even means choosing someone who is pro China (it's their choice).

I don't think this is any real Us involvement this time around, those are some brave folks however, fighting for the right cause.

There was rather big landing party of HonkKong bigwigs in Beijing last week -- kinda gives a perspective on events that followed -- I mean maybe they had an idea smth is about to happen? Or maybe I'm overthinking this :D

By now this is indeed a typical 'color revolution' fueled by underemployed mid-20s 'office plankton' -- slogans, symbols, entire media campaign, everything almost by the book, watched few bits of it live -- so cliche that after a dozen or two of similar events you'd hope people will learn smth. But given how even this topic turned out -- people in all seriousness discuss if this's a staged event or real deal -- hope is futile.

Well the people wants universal suffrage at the same time i want us to move away trading with the us dollar, So we are screwed either way. Plus damn this protest is huge blocking a long major road in Hong Kong island. This movement is mainly lead by the youths young adult with many universities and other insitutions closed party due to the professorsteachers joining the protest. lol

Sharu was probably too keen to blame it on 'murica. Let's say actual executors are irrelevant, clients are. And those clients or sides are not necessarily have bias towards one nation or another, i.e. non-national players.

//Beheading vidoes fake or not are irrelevant too. "Geopolitical risks of global energy market" (quoting Putin here) are ;)

Its not me actually, its Ron Paul's Institute blaming 'murica. I post the link in my second post in this thread, but seems very rare people can read so far...

There's no conspiracy here. The people of Hong Kong were promised one thing and got something else. Now they're pissed off about it. Besides, a free China wouldn't necessarily serve US interests. Maybe more freedom than they have now, but not necessarily a free country. Freedom means people will demand equal rights, which also means equal rights in the workplace. That means no more cheap Chinese manufacturing. This would be a nightmare to American corporations because while other places like Vietnam and Cambodia are even cheaper than China, they're not as well established in the global market.