Protestors Swell in Hong Kong: What Will Beijing Do?

When Britain gave up its Hong Kong colony in 1997, China agreed to “one country—two systems.” Unlike the mainland, Hong Kong would have a free press and judiciary—and the promise of “free and fair” elections in 2017. But, in August, Beijing decreed that the candidates will be selected by a committee of its choosing. Students and other democracy activists denounced the ruling and organized street protests, which have swelled to tens of thousands of people in the past few days.