The Hong Kong protest warning for the West

China plays a large part of its credibility in Hong Kong. The situation in the former British colony shows a growing number of protests and Beijing's attitude is under observation by the international community, although, as more and more often, when the situation concerns the Chinese country, the criticisms are attenuated in order not to hurt the susceptibility of the economic giant. The definition of "socialism with Chinese characteristics" is that with which Beijing likes to define its political system, based precisely on the peculiar characteristics of the Chinese nation. It is a pity that these characteristics do not include respect for democracy and political and civil rights, as they are understood in the West. This contrast defines the reason for the protests in Hong Kong, which is still considered a western city, despite the fact that it no longer belongs to the British crown. The agreements signed in 1997 and expected to remain in force until 2047, provide for a special status for Hong Kong within the People's Republic of China: multi-party system as a political system associated with a normal freedom of expression for a Western country, but absolutely in contrast with the customs of the Chinese political system, which directly controls only foreign policy and defense. It must be pointed out, as recalled by several Hong Kong jurists, that Chinese justice is subject to the Communist Party and not to the primacy of the law: the protest against the Chinese regime is based on this contrast, incurable for those accustomed to Western democracy . For Beijing to have within it a source of dissent, which often operates against its highest offices and over which it cannot exercise control, represents a potentially very dangerous situation that requires careful and punctual management. To remedy this situation the Chinese government has strengthened its political influence, supporting the local government, implementing a silent repression against the opposition also through kidnappings that ended in Chinese prisons. The current dispute concerns the possibility of extradition: the law in force prohibits this practice towards China and Taiwan, but the Hong Kong government wants to modify it with the excuse of a fact used in a functional and politically irrelevant way. It is clear that Beijing will be able to exercise extradition measures against its opponents, who will be locked up in places of detention where torture is practiced and subjected to trials where sentences of 99% are imposed. Beijing has confirmed that it supports this measure, which would allow it to have more control over Hong Kong. If passed, this measure will significantly reduce Hong Kong's freedom and allow Beijing to reduce dissent. This test of strength of the Chinese apparatus should pose serious reflections on the growing relations between the democratic countries and China, which take place because of Chinese liquidity and the great financial availability, which allows to make investments in any foreign country. Having very close relations with a country with such a different and restrictive conception of rights, without believing that it will never exercise some form of interference in internal affairs, as, moreover, it already happens in Africa, the danger that the progressive economic conquest is transformed, then, also into a reduction of democratic spaces. The protest in Hong Kong represents a warning and a warning for the western states that must be immediately considered in relations with China.