In the global age of technology and communication, news can travel the globe in an instant via countless channels including social media. This fact alone may be the only thing keeping the protests in Hong Kong from devolving into another Tiananmen Square. Regardless of this, tensions are still high on both sides of the conflict in China.

Slow Down, What is Happening in Hong Kong?

On August 14 2014, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, “demanded procedural barriers for candidates for [Hong Kong’s] leader that would ensure Beijing’s influence.” Since this announcement, protestors have descended upon the city and throughout the country, in peaceful civil disobedience, demanding the resignation of current Beijing-backed leader, Leung Chun-ying. All of this has happened in an effort to establish a more democratic election practice in Hong-Kong, which was promised by the Chinese government in 2007.

What is Being Done in Response to the Protests?

Yesterday, Mr. Leung addressed the protestors, saying his government would be happy to facilitate talks with student leaders, however these talks would be done through his deputy, Carrie Lam. In addition to the Committee Executive’s apparent political brush-off, he has also announced he will not be resigning his position, despite the protestor’s demands. Reportedly, protestors are not pleased with this announcement, however several student leaders have voiced their concerns for the safety of fellow protestors, calling for continued peace and respect.

So Why Is This Like Tiananmen Square?

There are many similarities between Hong-Kong’s Umbrella Protest, and Tiananmen Square. This is perhaps the most alarming fact for those directly involved, given China’s handling of Tiananmen Square in 1989.

1) Both movements have been largely student-led.
2) Protests have been in the form of civil disobedience with minor protestor brutality.
3) The iconic images of Tank Man, echo footage of the symbolic Umbrella Revolution.
4) Police brutality has been exerted – though not as harshly in Hong-Kong – in the course of both protests.

Sounds Like Tiananmen, Looks Like Tiananmen, But its Not?

Despite the apparent similarities between the two protests, many have faith the situation will not become an international incident like 1989. Why?

1) One Country – Two Systems
Hong-Kong, although part of China legally, operates under a one country, two systems regime. This fact alone guarantees certain freedoms and practices for Hong-Kong within their “mini-constitution.” These include rights the Tiananmen Square protestors were never granted. Additionally, Article 45 of the Basic Law (1990) states, “Hong Kong’s chief executive should eventually be chosen “by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.”

2) “Hong Kong is China’s financial window to the world” 
As a result, any violent actions taken by the Chinese government would drastically damage the Chinese economy and have adverse effects on financial markets.

3) Protestors Remain Patient and Peaceful
This truly is a protest like no other.

4) Globalization, Communication, and Technology
In 1989, although the world was outraged by the violent actions of China’s government, they have since done a remarkable job of suppressing the memories. Today, the global exchange of information is instantaneous. Unfortunately for those who lost their lives or were injured in 1989, this freedom and speed of information exchange was not readily accessible by those who would have spoken out about the injustice. Because of China’s continued communist regime, access to information is limited, especially anything to do with Tiananmen Square. Citizen’s are unable to access any physical or digital information about Tiananmen Square, its protests, or the fateful events of June 4 1989. Additionally, every year around the anniversary, dissidents and those who may remember or speak out about the incident are rounded up and silenced. Despite China’s efforts to erase these painful memories, people still remember. Students learn of the events online, by travelling abroad, or studying on exchange. With the entire world remembering the injustice of June 4 1989, world powers will be watching closely and prepared to intervene should China chose to pursue a similar course of action. A decision that would most certainly cause China more harm than these protestors ever could.