Meanwhile HK protestors are singing the Star Spangled Banner

[tymorial]

32. We should absolutely support HK but the UK needs to take the lead

They won't given their current problems but they have an obligation. China is violating the terms of their treaty. Britian is duty bound to push back and support the HK people who are being denied their rights under the British-Sino declaration of 1984. China promised 50 years of "one nation, two systems" it hasn't even been 25 years.

This change by China isn't surprising. China has a public face which intends to present itself very much the republic it claims to be while having an internal system which is most certainly not. They made efforts in the 80s under Xioping to institute term limits for the presidency and also institute expectations for government and military leaders to follow suit. Though party and military leaders were not legally held to limits, they were expected to follow suit and also adhere to the mandatory retirement age of 68.

The whole purpose of these laws were actually twofold. The real intent was to prevent the Maoist cult of personality and mitigate the turmoil of previous decades. It also intended to present China as the republic it claimed to be.

In reality these laws were largely symbolic and often ignored. The only president to actually adhere to the two term rule was Jinping's predecessor Jintao. The laws and rules were set under Deng Xioping but he maintained power until 1997 even as he officially retired in 1992. Other leaders either managed to hold onto their positions or had to be forcibly removed and ousted. Still the public face of China was one that they adhered to the precepts of a republic.

They signed the Sino-British Declaration treaty in 1984 amidst these changes. When 1997 came and the transition ceremony took place the events of Tiananmen Square were not far back in people's minds. The 50 year guarantee of one country, two systems was still very much expected and China affirmed that agreement.

What makes the situation today different is that Jinping has upended the changes of the 80s. The republic pretext is gone. The democracy pretext is gone. The state media has stated both are irrelevant (as directed). He made himself president for life. This act did not go without criticism. Protestors within China and exiled political dissidents have called this change a return to imperial china with Jinping making himself emperor. Jinping and the government cite overwhelmingly support by the people and yet the state sponsored media goes to great lengths to prevent imperialism, imperial, emperor from ever being heard and the internet is heavily monitored to prevent these labels from being discussed.

So yes. Its not surprising that Jinping and the Chinese Government seeks to ignore their own treaty. Whether they ever intended to honor the 50 year agreement.... unsure. Xioping was revered and celebrated for his changes and the "modernization of China"

So yes, the US does need to support Hong Kong. We claim to be the leaders of the free world (I hate the term because I dont believe it is always applicable.. especially under our own president with monarchical delusions) so we must support HK. Britain however must lead the way. It is their treaty. The protestors demand what was promised by both parties. The UK is duty bound to advocate.