Occupy Asia
Hong Kong and China attempt to join the Occupy Wall Street movement as it spreads across the world protesting against the 1% of the population who they say control the world’s wealth.
In HK a group of protestors from groups calling themselves Left 21 and FM101, have decided to occupy the the headquarters of Central’s HSBC. Messages and signs echo those seen in New York, “We represent the 99%”; “Limit Financial Opportunism”; and “Wealth is created with the blood and sweat of the working class”.
According to FinanceAsia, Hong Konger’s seem generally confused about the movement, with others highlighting that the protest is actually not relevant to Hong Kong because the SAR government has no bailed out the bank with public funds which was also pointed out by Chief Executive, Donald Tsang. Despite this, they remain below HSBC in their tents, offering $10 haircuts to raise funds for the camp.
In China, the mention or publication of the protests has been blocked by the communist states’ Publicity Department (formerly the Propaganda Department). This is despite the movement initially gaining recognition from the country’s Foreign Ministry through Beijing’s mouthpiece, the Xinhua News Agency, who criticised the American media for downplaying the “mass unrest storming their own streets” and consequently covered the story comprehensively.
In early October, the Occupy Wall Street movement inspired hundreds of pensioners and Communist Party members to gather in Zhengzhou to support the movement. Within days, all videos and pictures of the demonstration were removed from the internet and the government blocked the discussion of the Occupy Wall St movement.
Media cycles in China tend to follow similar patterns, with topics first being allowed and then even promoted as a way to teach the public a valuable lesson. However, censor controls sometimes override publications and social media, in fear of public uprising. In a country paranoid about social unrest, the catalysing potential of Occupy Wall Street must surely be discomforting to China’s leaders.
Most recently, a list of search terms which the Chinese government has ordered weibo to censor has been obtained, further highlighting the government’s fear of protests. These terms are focused on potential protests that could take place in China’s provincial capital cities such as “Occupy Beijing”, “Occupy Shanghai” or “Occupy Xining”. Censorship such as this is commonplace in China where the government are well known for controlling both social media sites and traditional media with strict regulations.
These demonstrations come at a time in China when corruption is rife, the income gap is wide, resources are dwindling and its population is becoming increasingly aware of the governments’ shortcomings.
- Charlotte
