The suffering of a great power?!

(Baonghean) - On November 26th, the two countries currently holding the positions of the world's largest and second-largest economies, the United States and China, both had to take strong measures to address domestic security and order issues. Hong Kong police arrested leaders of the pro-democracy movement in an attempt to defuse the situation and prevent the potential for wider riots. Meanwhile, in Ferguson, Missouri, over 2,000 National Guard troops were deployed to quell the flames of hatred stemming from discrimination, after a white police officer who shot and killed a black youth was acquitted.

Rapid economic growth that fails to adequately address underlying socio-political risks is the root cause of complex social conflicts, a concern for any nation or region. However, not all countries can avoid it, even large nations like the United States and China. In Ferguson, Missouri, protests and riots have been ongoing for three months, since white police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed African-American teenager Michael Brown.

Protests in predominantly African American neighborhoods have served as a stark warning about the long-standing racial discrimination within American society. However, these warnings appear to have been ignored. Despite the protesters' anger, a prosecutor informed the press that a grand jury in St. Louis, Missouri, had acquitted white police officer Darren Wilson. This means the officer, who faced intense public backlash, will not face any charges related to the August murder of a Black youth.

Riots in Ferguson, USA. (Image from the internet)

This information only added fuel to the fire, turning the protest movement into riots. Black people and those who felt racial and immigrant discrimination took to the streets, engaging in violent acts of rebellion, vandalism, and arson, damaging and burning vehicles and buildings. President Obama himself had to speak out to warn and deter these law-breaking behaviors. However, what the protesters were hoping for was not threats or appeasement. What they needed was for all citizens to be truly equal before the law, and for justice to be served throughout the United States. Therefore, approximately 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed to Ferguson to prevent conflict. As President Barack Obama wearily stated: "This is not just a Ferguson issue, it's a national issue."

In Hong Kong (China), the student pro-democracy movement seemed to have cooled down before the 22nd APEC Summit in 2014. It was thought that its resurgence was only recalled in President Obama's explanation at a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit, stating, "I am certain that the United States is not involved in instigating the protests in Hong Kong." But after the APEC Summit ended, the movement flared up again. At this point, people couldn't help but recall a statement by Obama, also at a joint press conference with Xi Jinping: "Essentially, these issues must be decided by the people of Hong Kong and China. However, I have made it clear that the United States will encourage the people's right to express themselves and that the elections in Hong Kong reflect the will of the local people."

Hong Kong's elections won't take place until 2017, so the pro-democracy and electoral reform protests will undoubtedly continue to seriously threaten Hong Kong's security, order, and political and economic stability. Therefore, if China wants to maintain "peace" at least until 2017, it cannot afford to ignore the risks posed by this movement. Consequently, on November 26th, student leaders of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, Lester Shum and Joshua Wong, were arrested. Simultaneously, police forcefully dispersed protesters at one of the city's hottest spots, using tear gas and arresting 80 demonstrators. The contrasting scenes of state officials clearing the streets of Hong Kong, wearing shirts emblazoned with "I love Hong Kong," and protesters chanting "Comprehensive Democracy" were striking. The authorities' approach has been limited to forceful measures using military might and authority, lacking a genuine "meeting" to fundamentally resolve the conflicts.

Thus, the US and China have only offered temporary solutions. These are ways to "treat the symptoms" rather than "cure" the deep-seated problems within their societies. Evidence of this is the fact that protesters in Hong Kong are still occupying many streets and are planning to occupy government buildings more aggressively. Meanwhile, the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, are still heating up the security and political situation in the US – even though across the country, people are battling the freezing cold of winter and snowstorms, with at least 20 deaths and the number still rising.

Chi Linh Son