“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” John Dalberg. In the case of one of the most powerful countries, China has displayed this power numerous times, none more known than China’s involvement in Hong Kong. Even though China is 7236.93 miles away from the U.SAmerican schools should teach the situation that China is holding Hong Kong over, as Hong Kong is a large ally for America and students would benefit from understanding different government systems like the government China has, as well as receive more appreciation and understanding of their own government.

Unlike America’s regime, China's presidents hold more power than the branches of government. Heejoung Moon, a former council woman of Hong Kong's democracy, states that “China’s Government, while not being a complete democracy, used to work more similarly to America’s Government after Mao Zedong. The process of a leader retiring and hiring a successor would happen until Xi Jinping came into power” (Moon). The current leader of China had different plans than hiring a successor however, with the extent of power Xi Jinping holds over his communist party, Xi Jinping can act more as a dictator rather than a president. The reason for this is because the president of China can switch between certain powers. For example, when Xi Jinping chooses to attend meetings with foreign countries, he does so as the President of China. When Xi Jinping decides to enforce laws, he can switch his status and become head of whichever branch he so chooses while still maintaining his presidency status with no repercussions whatsoever. Students in civics or government classes would benefit from learning the aforementioned information because teaching it doesn’t have to be the longest lecture as other points in history are, while giving a basic rundown of how the rival government works. Furthermore, Elsbeth Johnson states in her article that, “The past decade has, if anything, strengthened Chinese leaders’ view that economic reform is possible without liberalizing politics” (Johnson). The Chinese system would also be a good compare and contrast learning point for students as a government that allows the strengthening of its leaders would never happen in America due to the foundation and beliefs America was first built off of. 

Another learning point that can be helpful for American students is the Hong Kong situation. One of the many ideas that not only Xi Jinping has thought of, but also his previous predecessors, has been the concept of Hong Kong fully converting to the Chinese communist party since the handing over of British rule in 1997. When the colony was handed over, it was with a ground rule. The British gave China the rights back to Hong Kong as long as they stuck with the, “One country two systems policy.” A system that was supposed to last for at least 50 years. Xi Jinping and his branches of government don’t want to wait that long, and have recently been attempting to force their laws onto Hong Kong and put an end to the hope for a democracy. The belief of ending democracy is completely contrary towards America’s belief of putting an end to communism. America isn’t just invested in the Hong Kong situation due to the contrasting beliefs, according to the U.S. Department of State, “There are more than 1,300 U.S. firms, including 726 regional operations, and approximately 85,000 American residents in Hong Kong… Hong Kong is the single largest with a U.S. trading partner, with a surplus in 2018 of $31 billion” (“U.S. Relations With Hong Kong”). Since 2018, China’s hold over Hong Kong has only gotten stronger, resulting in lesser profit for both parties and a multitude of laws forced onto Hong Kong. One of the most infamous laws being The National Security Law (NSL), described further by Lindsay Maizland in her article, “The legislation effectively criminalizes terrorism, subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign powers. It also allows Beijing to establish a security force in Hong Kong and influence the selection of judges who hear national security cases” (Maizland). The NSL may sound like a nice protective law at first, until it’s in the lens of what China sees as terrorism, subversion and secession, that being anything pro-democracy, essentially erasing what once was Hong Kong.

The cry for democracy grows stronger in Hong Kong, while the plea may be all for not, the situation can’t be ignored completely. Even if the vast majority of American students will barely be involved in politics, let alone work for the government. Learning about China's government system choosing to oppress Hong Kong rights is a very relevant and current topic that can give students a learning point for government systems. America is also extremely involved with trading with Hong Kong and China. If the situation continues to worsen and relations with the U.S. collapses then it would also be a good stepping stone into why the U.S. sanctions China and or, at the very least show a little more appreciation for America’s flawed, yet stable democracy.

Works Cited

Backgrounder “Hong Kong’s Freedoms: What China Promised and How It’s Cracking Down.” 

Lindsay Maizland. Council on Foreign Relations, 2022, May 19. cfr.org/backgrounder/hong-kong-freedoms-democracy-protests-china-crackdown 

Moon, Heejoung. Interview. Conducted by Kenneth Shomin. 27 Feb 2023.

Spotlight Series, “What the West Gets Wrong About China.” Rana Mitter and Elsbeth Johnson. 

Harvard Business Review, 2021, May-June hbr.org/2021/05/what-the-west-gets-wrong-about-china 

U.S Department of State “U.S. Relations With Hong Kong.” 2020, August 28,

state.gov/u-s-relations-with-hong-kong/