China.
The solidarity campaign in Britian has throughout this period taken much of its lead from the outpouring of support by the masses in Hong Kong, who had been demoralised by their own lack of say in the island's economic, social and political affairs and have now been horrified, enraged and inspired by their compatriots' sacrifice for democracy.
The Chinese solidarity campaign must expose Britain's colwhich guarantees a superior trading position at the expense of the Hong Kong people's ability to decide collectively the course of their own lives.
The struggle for democracy in China is intrinsically bound up with the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong, and allows no Toom for equivocation: there is no role for Britain in the future of Hong Kong. It is for Hong Kong's masses to decide on the form of the island's relationship with the Chinese government, including that of partial or full self rule, and the option of emigration to Britain.
Ai Meun Lim
(1) Echoes from Tiananmen; Friends of Chinese Minzhu, Hong Kong. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 17, Summer 1989
Just as they thought it was safe to put the boot in...