Two stories from China today paint a worrying picture, but may also offer a glimmer of hope.
Leaked papers from China provide more details of an attempt by the Chinese regime to exercise control over the Uighur population of Xinjang. Thousands of Uighur men and women are being detained in prisons in an attempt to ‘re-educate’ them to accept a world centred around the view from Beijing. Inmates have to show they are reformed characters in what they do and what they believe before they can be released back to the community. Even then, they are under close surveillance until the authorities are convinced that they are citizens who will in future conform to the ideology of the state rather than their former Islamic faith.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, the population has delivered a decisive verdict on attempts by Beijing to exert more authority over this autonomous region. "One Country, two systems" was supposed to leave Hong Kong in pretty well the same sort of regime as that which subsisted under British Rule, at least for a period of 50 years from the lowering of the Union Flag on 1st July 1997. The trouble is that, with this period being only halfway through, younger citizens looking to their own future worry about what will happen in the longer term. If the treatment of the Uighurs is anything to go by, these fears are real.
Ever since Xi Jinping came to power in 2013, the image of a supposed benevolent China has gradually been replaced by the reality of a nation that wants to exercise control. Moves to increase military capability, sabre rattling over islands in the South China Sea and actions to control its own population have shown us China’s true intent. Hong Kong has not been immune from this either. The appointment of a more Beijing compliant Hong Kong leader in Carrie Lam was a clear sign. This was followed by a proposal to undermine the Rule of Law by allowing extradition from Hong Kong to China thus allowing Beijing to circumvent the Hong Kong judicial system.
As China continues to grow in economic and military might, the world might worry about the values of a Beijing centred world. The Western democratic system is tired and creaking and the power of China continues to grow. British Steel is shortly to become Chinese Steel. This is but one small example of the way the world is changing before our eyes. At the same time we are choosing to leave the protection of the major power block of the EU to try our luck on our own. In strategic terms this looks like huge folly.
Meanwhile Hongkongers are making their position very clear. It remains to be seen how Beijing will react to this challenge to its authority. A creeping undermining of the “One country, two systems” principle seems no longer an option. Perhaps they will relent for the moment as Hong Kong is still an important economic benefit for China. However in the longer term, a crackdown might seem inevitable, particularly if the current regime in Beijing survives and there seems to be no indication it will not.
Fortunately we still live in Country where democracy rules OK and power is exercised under the Rule of Law. The government is trammelled by the law, however that is interpreted by our judges. I also hope that similar principles operate at lower levels in our society.
Each of us can exercise power over others in one way or another. This is particularly true if we are leaders or managers of others. Do we manage with an iron fist or is our control exercised with respect for the diversity of what people can contribute to the joint cause? I know in our business it is the latter and I believe that this brings better results in the longer term. But the principles which underpin our system are truly worth fighting for. Waiting until they have disappeared is not an option