China's Tinderbox

In the past weeks, China has tried to claim the moral high ground on Kashmir, expressing grave concerns at the United Nations Security Council with no apparent sense of irony.

- Geeta Mohan

Even as it tried to make common cause with Pakistan over Kashmir, it was violating an international agreement in Hong Kong, trying to force the region into subjugation through the Extradition Bill.

The Sino-British joint declaration of 1984 was an international accord signed between China and the UK. It handed over sovereignty back to Beijing with effect from 1997, but with caveats that the principle of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s capitalist system remain unchanged for 50 years, or till 2047. Now, China is trying to exercise complete control over this port city three decades too early, but Hong Kong is putting up a tough fight.