ABSTRACT

The new democracy movement in the HKSAR has witnessed the leadership and participation of more moderate “organic intellectuals” than ever before. They formed the backbone of the democratization of Hong Kong, exerting pressure on both the Hong Kong government and Beijing. In response, the central government in Beijing reacted strongly to the rise of nativist groups, especially the two young legislators-elect whose oath-taking behavior was so provocative as to bring about the Chinese interpretation of the Basic Law. Moreover, in March 2017, legal action was initiated by the HKSAR regime on the leaders of the Occupy Central Movement. Hence, the new democracy movement that has been characterized by the emergence of moderate “organic intellectuals” and civil disobedience encountered relatively hard-line reactions from the authorities in both Hong Kong and China. It remains to be seen whether the ruling elites in both the HKSAR and the PRC will adopt a more tolerant attitude toward the nativist groups and the new democracy movement in the territory. If China is keen to maintain “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, a more relaxed attitude toward the localist interest groups and the new democracy movement would perhaps consolidate the legitimacy of both the Hong Kong government and Beijing. If not, a perennial crisis of legitimacy will continue to haunt not only the HKSAR regime but also the PRC authorities responsible for handling Hong Kong matters in the coming years.