Commentary: The Hong Kong rain on Beijings parade as China turns 70

SINGAPORE: Oct 1, 2019 marks a huge milestone in Chinas history, as the country crosses the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China.

In 2015, China celebrated another 70th anniversary, commemorating its victory over Japan in World War II.

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If that event is any guide, expect a massive pageantry this year that showcases the worlds largest armed forces as well as its impressive arsenal of advanced weapons.

PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS

October will be a golden opportunity to reaffirm the fruits of Chinas modernisation and Chinas standing as a rising superpower.

Indeed, to make this Chinese National Day the biggest celebration ever seen, Beijing is already pulling out all the stops.

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It has curbed petrol sales, the flying of drones, and even the presence of pigeons to ensure a perfect blue-sky backdrop against which Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a stirring speech to audiences at home and abroad.

However, as much as the Chinese Communist Party wishes to play its favourite track about the dramatic transformation of an economic backwater into the worlds second largest economy, it knows 2019 has not been a great year – to say the least.

Already hurt by an economic slowdown caused by the ongoing trade war with the US, Beijing is facing unwanted international attention over its policies in the countrys periphery.

In recent months, the country has come under greater scrutiny over the Uighurs in Xinjiang and the persistent Hong Kong protests.

READ: Commentary: Why China doesnt understand what the Hong Kong protesters want

Washington, in particular, is expected to call Beijing out at the UN General Assembly.

The US Congress is also expected to debate and pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy bill this week, which would empower the administration to impose sanctions on officials responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong.

What has certainly come into sharper focus as China approaches the momentous occasion of its 70th anniversary is a brewing US-China rivalry. Recent actions by Washington have been perceived as particularly unfriendly efforts to contain Chinas meteoric ascent – including the fighter jet sale to Taiwan, imposed trade tariffs and the Huawei ban.

In this context, China surely sees shadows in any further US action over Hong Kong.

THE HONG KONG RAIN ON BEIJINGS PARADE

The political trouble that is Hong Kong is threatening to rain on Beijings parade.

To limit the damage potentially inflicted by protests, the Hong Kong government has already called off the fireworks, readying itself for “a modest, but solemn type of celebrations” on Oct 1.

The protesters, on the other hand, are considering wearing all white on that day to “mourn” the “passing” of rule of law and democracy in Hong Kong. The Chinese national anthem will also likely be drowned out with the singing of their latest protest anthem, “Glory to Hong Kong”.

READ: Commentary: All this fury but Hong Kongs symbols of wealth have been untouched

On top of these are possible random acts of desecrating the national flag and symbols. Beijing will no doubt see all this as a form of huge disrespect.

Still, the possibility of armed intervention to suppress the Hong Kong protests remains distant.

THE SPECTRE OF 1989

2019 also marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen incident. A repeat of the events would be a deeply tragic irony. The CCP has been keen to rid itself of the spectre of 1989.

The Chinese leadership is unlikely to take drastic actions that add another stain that mars the remembrance of the founding of the republic.

The memory of the immediate aftermath of the tragic turn of events in 1989 will surely be etched deeply in the minds of many Chinese decision makers – which included a flagging pace of economic reforms and plummeting growth.

READ: Commentary: The ghost of Tiananmen Square hovers over a 'fragile superpower' even after 30 years

Beijing then had to spend the next few years repairing trust and reintegrating into the international community.

With the economy already taking a toll from the US-China trade war, and all eyes on Hong Kong, Beijing simply cannot afford the economic price and diplomatic backlash of a military option.

Doing so ahead of the Chinese National Day celebrations would also mean playing into the hands of Washington. For a political regime that stakes its legitimacy on maintaining sustained growth and a harmonious society, this would be bad news.

PRESERVING NATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Xi Jinpings recent speech at the Central Party School to rising officials foreshadows Beijings possible response.

Acknowledging growing complications ahead in various areas including the governance of Hong Kong, he called for a “struggle” (douzheng) – a word that appeared nearly sixty times in the speech – against “any risks and challenges to the party's leadership, the country's sovereignty and security and anything that threatens the country's core interests”.

“As long as [the threat] comes, we must carry out a resolute struggle, and we must achieve victory,” he added.

READ: Commentary: Why its not in Beijings interest to rock the Hong Kong boat

The Chinese leadership will likely seize the Oct 1 commemorations to rally the nation and emphasise national unity.

Chinese commentators may also continue to highlight an imagined foreign threat that is envious of Chinas accomplishments and intends to disrupt Chinas rise.

This is congruent with Beijings current attitude toward the Hong Kong unrest. Beijing had previously expressed the view that foreign forces and “black hands” are seeking to wound China by fomenting a “colour revolution” in the special administrative region.

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