In an interesting piece in the Washington Post, Eric X. Li (a
venture capitalist and political scientist in Shanghai) states:
“The degree of
political participation in Hong Kong is actually at its highest in history.
Before 1997, Hong Kong was a British colony for 155 years, during which it was
ruled by 28 governors — all of them directly appointed by London. For Chris
Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, to now brand himself as the
champion of democracy is hypocrisy of the highest order.”
Li goes on to argue that rising inequality in Hong Kong is
the fundamental driver of protests and discontent among the locals.
Related,
NYTIMES article on the Wealth Gap in Hong Kong
Illuminating program (far more informative than regular news
shows) on modern China -
In the new season of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Tony
visits Shanghai: