The Self-Determination Question: 香港自決問題

Imaginative Writings About Hong Kong’s Future
《想像關於香港嘅未來》

A democratic society requires a number of necessary preconditions, including basic human rights, the rule of law, independent media, and strong civil societies. 一個民主社會必須具備多項基本前提，包括基本人權、法治、獨立媒體，以及強健嘅公民社會。

Hong Kong’s independence must be defined under a series of necessary conditions of systemic and institutional change in the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The most plausible opportunity for Hongkongers to successfully advocate for international recognition and power for self-determination will come at the hour of regime change in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
香港獨立必須建基於一連串制度性同結構性嘅治理改革。對香港人而言，最有可能爭取國際承認同自決權嘅時刻，將會出現在中華人民共和國（PRC）及中國共產黨（CCP）出現政權更替之時。

The question of self-determination must be posed to Hongkongers, with guaranteed secure voting mechanisms, transparent and informed voter engagement, and enforceability of the results. Let’s ignore the technical and operational aspects of this vote. We can try to answer the WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY questions.
自決問題必須直接交由香港人決定，並確保投票機制安全、選民參與過程透明且具資訊基礎，以及投票結果具可執行性。暫且擱置技術同操作層面，我哋可以先處理最基本嘅問題：WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY. 

Who: Hongkongers..? 香港人..?

All residents with HKSAR-issued IDs and passports would automatically gain the right to participate in the question of self-determination. The right to participate becomes blurry for those who do not have official status under the HKSAR. In my opinion, I would cast a broad net and include individuals without HKSAR-issued documents.

所有持有香港特區簽發身份證或護照嘅居民，應自動享有參與自決投票嘅權利。但對於冇正式特區身份文件嘅人士，參與資格就變得模糊。我主張採取一個更廣泛、更包容嘅定義。

• Migrant workers who have lived in Hong Kong for more than seven years
在香港居住超過七年嘅外籍勞工
• Refugees and newcomers residing in Hong Kong
在香港生活嘅難民同新來港人
• Diasporic Hongkongers holding HKSAR-issued documents
持有香港特區身份文件嘅離散香港人
• Diasporic Hongkongers with non-HKSAR citizenship who maintain social, familial, or personal ties to Hong Kong
即使已持有非特區身份，但仍與香港保持社會、家庭或個人連結嘅離散香港人

What: A question on self-determination 一條關於自決權嘅問題:  "Do you want Hong Kong to become a state?"「你是否希望香港成為一個國家？」

Defining the “question” on the ballot: It must be a straightforward question with a yes/no response. The “question” does not question Hongkongers’ political autonomy, but honours them by offering a decision for statehood.
自決權問題必須容許清晰嘅「是／否」回答，而唔係用含糊字眼掩蓋政治自主權；而係透過提供國家地位嘅選項，對香港人自決權作出尊重。

We can overcomplicate the “question”, so don’t be stupid and ask these meaningless questions:
我哋經常將投票問題搞到過份複雜，以下呢啲問題毫無意義，亦應避免：

• Do you want Hong Kong to be free? Do you want Hong Kong to have democracy?
   (Freedom and democracy, my ass, what does that actually look like? Materialize these vague neoliberal bullshit terminologies for me. 講人話！乜撚嘢算係自由民主呀？)
• Do you want Hong Kong to have self-governance?
  (One Country Two Systems can take a fucking seat for what would come next. 又玩文字遊戲，一國兩制2.0？)
• Do you want Hong Kong to have universal suffrage?
  (Are we for fucking real to ask if you want people to have democratic rights? 人權冇保證㗎，仲問？屌咪撚嘥我時間 。)

Where: in Hong Kong and globally 香港人同全球離散港人

Since the HKSAR’s National Security Law came into force in 2020, there has been a mass exodus of Hongkongers. In addition to engaging with Hongkongers residing within HKSAR, the ability to cast a vote on self-determination must be available to those who no longer reside in Hong Kong.
自2020年《國安法》實施以來，大量香港人被迫離開香港。因此，任何自決程序都必須容許身處海外嘅香港人參與。 

When: reactive to regime change, when it happens 中共政權轉變嘅時刻

Nothing to add. 無補充。

Why: the first step to rebuild Hong Kong society free from Western and Sino colonial control 重建一個擺脫西方同中共殖民控制嘅香港社會嘅第一步

It would be wrong to assume Western and Sino colonial control are in contradiction over the governance of Hong Kong. In 1972, the United Nations removed Hong Kong and Macau from the list of colonial territories covered by the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and People. This move was initiated by a Chinese official. Ta da! Hong Kong and Macau, another case of east meets west, resulting in colonial subjugation. By removing the two cities from the list, residents lost their right to equal rights and self-determination guaranteed under the Declaration.

1972年聯合國應中國官員要求，將香港同澳門剔除出《給予殖民地國家及人民獨立宣言》所涵蓋嘅殖民地名單。結果，兩地居民失去咗原本受國際法保障嘅平等權利同自決權。

A self-determination question is the first of many steps to reclaim political autonomy for Hong Kong. The international community must recognize the result of the question, especially when Hongkongers vote en masse to establish independent statehood.

香港自決問題只係重奪政治自主權嘅第一步。當香港人以集體意志選擇建立獨立國家時，國際社會必須承認並尊重呢個結果。 

… to be continued…