Democracy in Hong Kong would do wonders for China’s global reputation

At midnight on July 1, 1997, my home, Hong Kong, a territory of then 6.5 million people, was handed over from Britain to the People’s Republic of China.

Almost 21 years later, we have come to a critical moment: promised democratic development has been totally stopped, the young generation in Hong Kong is under attack, and the autonomy and core values we have worked hard to preserve are in serious danger.

I am 79 years old, and have been working for five decades as a barrister and advocate for Hong Kong. I have been the chairman of the Bar, an elected legislator, a founder of a pro-democracy political party, and a member of the Basic Law Drafting Committee, which drafted the mini-constitution for Hong Kong.

My generation has fought hard. But it is the future generation, represented by 21-year old Joshua Wong Chi-fung – who was recently sent to prison twice for his involvement in the 2014 “umbrella movement” – and other young leaders such as Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Alex Chow Yong-kang, Agnes Chow Ting and Raphael Wong Ho-ming, who are even more adamant that their rights be absolutely preserved.