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World News Brief, Wednesday September 3

China-UK treaty breached with greater controls on Hong Kong; Japan and India strengthen ties; Kenya hosts terrorism summit; Cuba clamps down on imports; and more

Top of the Agenda

Britain Expresses Concern Over Hong Kong Political Unrest

A British parliamentary inquiry (SCMP) into ongoing political tensions in Hong Kong said that China appears to have breached the terms of a China-U.K. treaty when Beijing effectively ruled out the possibility of democracy in the territory on Sunday (TIME). Hong Kong has faced weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations organized by a grassroots opposition group called Occupy Central, which rejects Beijing's influence over the 2017 election—the first in which the Hong Kong chief executive is directly chosen by voters. The central government announced on Sunday a restrictive framework for the election that gives Beijing control over the two or three candidates, triggering police arrests after further demonstrations (Guardian).

Analysis

"Inevitably, the National People's Congress decision will add to political tension, and further polarize society. More than a million people have marched in Hong Kong already this year, both for and against the aims of Occupy Central," writes Andrew Browne for the Wall Street Journal.

"Beijing seems unlikely to back off from the stance it has taken. But it should recognise the damage being done to its own interests. It has stirred up opposition among Hong Kong moderates—even provoking those who understand that there will always be limits to autonomy," writes the Financial Times.

"Much of the public in Hong Kong appears wary of confrontational actions that could damage the city's reputation for order, but protests that are not disruptive might have little impact on international opinion and would be easier for the Chinese leadership and Hong Kong politicians to ignore," write Michael Forsythe and Christopher Buckley for the New York Times.

 

PACIFIC RIM

Japan, India Step Up Ties

Japan and India pledged to increase defense and economic cooperation on Monday as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues a five-day tour of Japan (WSJ) this week and draws an outline for his foreign policy. The two countries also welcomed progress on talks to transfer Japan's nuclear technology to India.

 ELSEWHERE:

Kenya hosts terrorism summit

Cuba clamps down on imports

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org