| Summary/Abstract |
The massive protests in Hong Kong in 2019 became part of a growing movement by people opposed to joining the Mainland after half the period stipulated in the 1997 agreement between Great Britain and China for gradual reunification of the PRC and Hong Kong in 2047. Despite close and mutually beneficial economic cooperation, the unification of the two systems is not proceeding. On the contrary: There is a growing clash of identities in the Special Administrative Region of Xianggang. The population of Hong Kong is striving to preserve its autonomy and civil rights. This mood is especially strong among the young generation, which has emerged as the main force driving the protests. The victory of those against integration with Beijing in the elections to the legislative councils in November 2019 could mark the beginning of political opposition to the policy of reunification with Beijing and cast doubt on the overall feasibility of the concept "One country, two systems," and the prospects for extending it to relations with Taiwan. It also poses a threat to realizing "the Chinese dream of a great rebirth" and restoring to China its world-shaping functions in the international arena.
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