Political Scientist Raises Awareness of Present Controversial Climate in Hong Ko ****************************************************************************************** * Political Scientist Raises Awareness of Present Controversial Climate in Hong Kong ****************************************************************************************** Monday 27th October, the Institute of Political Science at the Faculty of Arts of Charles pleased to host the City University of Hong Kong's Professor Joseph Cheng. Professor Cheng with the International Documentary Film Festival Jihlava, presented information regarding current tense struggle with China to regain political autonomy and invited discussion with

We must not be afraid of dreaming the seemingly imposs the seemingly impossible to become a reality.

Speaking to a largely Czech audience with a collective background in political and economi Professor Cheng opened with this quote by former Czech President Václav Havel. Cheng conti short video depicting the discontent presently occurring throughout Hong Kong's financial explained how this so far non-violent conflict is showing signs of becoming anything but p the audience through a timeline of recent political events in Hong Kong, Professor Cheng m that the relevant organisation, Occupy Central with Love and Peace, is a primarily student led movement formed in response to Chinese authorities increasing limitations on Hong Kong autonomy, effectively denying democracy. Internationally better-known as a part of the 'Umbrella Movement', Occupy Central has the employing non-violent civil disobedience tactics. This is exemplified by the June informal which 800,000 votes favoured a democratic election model for Hong Kong, and the famous 5-d late September by university students, amongst those then-17 year old Joshua Wong, a polit recently honoured by Time Magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014. Chines initially retaliated against these academics by mobilising the pro-Beijing Alliance for Pe to protest against the democratic supporters. However, according to Professor Cheng, where Central movement strive to keep non-violence as one of their motivations, others have the rather more drastic tactics, such as police allegedly using tear gas against the students placards which read 'disperse, or we fire'. It is difficult to really know about the curre the extremity occurring on either side from outwith Hong Kong, as Professor Cheng pointed issue of media self-censorship. He asserted that media organisations are largely concerned the Chinese authorities and so do not wish to 'rock the boat' – a problem he claimed has a Kong's potential for international support. Occupy Central with Love and Peace realise that their goal for a democratic Hong Kong is a enterprise. Professor Cheng stated that realistically his current short-term goal is to ra awareness of the struggle against the formidably powerful and resourceful Chinese Governme short, is an important reason for his visit to Charles University – to engage with student alike and increase support for the movement in Hong Kong. Cheng, and indeed a politically member of the audience, acknowledged that Taiwan has already taken notice of the activism and is preparing for the ripple effect of the democratic movement. 2014 has already proven year for international internal political struggles, with the recent Scottish independence rumours of Catalonian desires to be independent from Spain. 'We need an honourable exit.' Cheng stated finally. 'These protests cannot last indefinite Professor Cheng wishes, the current international political climate will increase awarenes Movement in order that Occupy Central's protests can achieve a satisfactory conclusion bef for violence becomes a reality.