Pepper spray instead of true democracy

Clashes between demonstrators and the police right in the heart of the city - in Hong Kong, images of such intensity are unprecedented.

Tens of thousands of protesters push though the streets, equipped with swimming goggles to protect their eyes, plastic capes and banners. The police are armed with tear gas, pepper spray and clubs. It's the worst unrest since China took control of the former British Crown Colony in 1997.

The protests were triggered by reforms of the voting system planned for 2017. A direct vote is scheduled, but only preselected candidates are to show up on the ballot.

There's no real democracy involved. Under such circumstances, it is regarded as practically impossible for critics of the regime to run for office.

The demonstrators know exactly what they want: elections that deserve to be called elections.

Last week, Hong Kong student organizations took it one step further: In a manifesto, they demanded an apology to the people of Hong Kong. And should that demand not be met, they called for the resignation of the city's top officials.

Small changes - perhaps

In view of the intense situation, Hong Kong's leadership on Sunday signaled a willingness to talk, saying the government planned to deliberate the electoral reform again soon. They did not, however, provide details or a timetable.

But most importantly, the message from Beijing is a completely different one: the demonstrators are "extremists" and "radicals" who represent a minority. The Foreign Ministry warned the international community of meddling in any way. The Global Times newspaper close to the government in Beijing writes that the protesters are well aware that the decision on the electoral reform can't be changed. Reports on Hong Kong are suppressed in the social media.

There is no doubt that changes are only imaginable in minute detail.

There has, for instance, been discussion on the concrete formation of the committee designed to elect the candidates, on how big the committee should be, and whether at least some of its members might be elected directly. There is no doubt that Beijing won't budge one millimeter on key issues - no matter how many people take to the streets in Hong Kong, claiming a right to real elections.

Beijing fears loss of control

There are two main reasons: For one, Beijing fears to lose control over Hong Kong. Beijing's nightmare is an independent leadership in Hong Kong that dissociates itself from mainland China, and questions the Communist Party's power monopoly, and that might even, in the long run, strive for full independence from the People's Republic.

Beijing is worried that the "Hong Kong model" could set a precedent for other parts of the country, that citizens in the People's Republic could be inspired by the demonstrators in Hong Kong and try to push through more democratic rights by taking to the streets.

In the near future, Hong Kong is unlikely to see any real democracy.