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‘ We craved democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems experimentation over?

As China stiffens its traction on the city over which British convention intent 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against erosion of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and acclaim its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy legislators, it has become an party for something totally different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he suggests, a smile smashing across his look as he reflects on how many members of the neighbourhood nobility have chosen to celebrate two decades of Chinese convention by plastering their homes and enterprises with patriotic slogans and red flag in the hope, he supposes, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see democracy. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is forming a rare three-day tour of the former British settlement, will result fetes of two decades of Chinese ascendancy alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising formality just down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary rash of difference in the autumn of 2014 the pair will remember the moment this city of 7. 3 million tenants turned over to China after 156 years of colonial govern. A flypast and a sea parade are as follows. By night, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal yacht Britannia differed on 1 July 1997, is likely to be illuminated by a dazzling 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving opportunity of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated infant coming back here to the heated embrace of his mother, is still color in our recollection, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But of the membership of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary are complying with a profound sense of uncertainty and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and partisans express against the two arrested of 26 parties opposed to the Chinese government. Photograph: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the sides of a Leninist dictatorship, activists such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the ante in its combat for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new commander, who was elected by a tightly limited collection committee, there will be a regenerated pushing to legislate contentious anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to strike an upbeat tint during his visit, recent remarks by another senior Communist party figure who dedicated to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of ability , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three official, supposed, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by the individuals who posed no menace to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists appreciation of foreboding is the feeling that many western governments have now cut them release for fear of damaging their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photograph: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, questioned a carefully worded account about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson realized no direct mention of thriving horrors about the deterioration of Hong Kongs liberties, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a local bookseller who harboured a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, tells Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like many, Lee is convinced that China is gradually stripping away the freedom of the media promised to Hong Kongs citizens for the purposes of the the different countries, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to occur.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those frights, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a deal negotiated by London and Beijing securing Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical record that no longer had any practical relevance.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, tells campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for assist: As long as there is not blood in wall street, they dont care.

Not everyone is mourning Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are speck with the groups of pro-government backers and decorated with flags that read I affection Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vitality. Lilac postings hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in shining cherry-red flags and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, there is also genuine patriotic ardour. Hong Kong people should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress our country has stirred, enthused Li Li, a template at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have reacted the anniversary and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government boosters. The residual couldnt care less about the commemoration, and were most to be concerned about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white and off-color obstructions, with agents patrolling wall street with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the orbit, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee reads the lack of interest many young people are showing in Xis visit underscore how unplugged they experience from mainland China and how Beijings plans have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbour thats what they experience, he adds, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that only 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest charge since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the insignificance and confusion, Hong Kongs protest movement shall be published in buoyant feeling. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual procession recognizing the return to China. Their rallying cry will be Twenty years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officials, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit more provocative, replies Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. However, many of them could now be forced from power, primarily because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took its participation in while being blasphemed in last year.

If two to three of them lose their sets, then the whole political equilibrium will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislature, warns Chu, which was intended to scream Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover commemoration. Image: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would give concessions to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming ruler has pledged to healed the segment and build bridges. This is a bridge between republic and dictatorship, told Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last minister, has offered a more upbeat rating of the city he once guided, saying he was encouraged by the really profound gumption of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I contemplate I am pleased about the way in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a reason of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of republic that he rendered after Britains withdrawal, says he is an eternal optimist about his flows opportunities under a new, young leader. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his chambers between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the symbol of the 1989 Tiananmen Square declarations, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella shifts main clique, a sprawling of tents and political debate, three days before police ultimately cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little chicks singing on the field.[ It was as if they were saying :] I wish I were free, you know? The breeze was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .