Does Hong Kong’s democracy movement have a future?

Hong Kong’s pro-China government has taken a number of measures in recent months against pro-democracy politicians and activists. In July, several pro-democracy legislators were disqualified for using their swearing-in ceremonies to stage anti-China protests. And last week, three student leaders who called for free elections during 2014’s Umbrella Movement protests received jail sentences that will ban them from running for any public office over the next five years. Some activists are worried about the impact these convictions will have on free speech and about the potential for harsher punishment.

As Hong Kong marked 20 years since the territory’s handover from British to Chinese rule last month, China’s foreign ministry said the declaration that allows for the city’s political autonomy was a historic document that no longer had any practical significance nor any binding force.

So how sustainable is the “one country, two systems” framework? And what can the people of Hong Kong expect from having a closer relationship to China?

On this episode of The Stream, we’ll speak to:

Leung Kwok-hung, aka ‘Longhair’
Politician and social activist
longhair.hk

Elaine Yu @yuenok
Journalist, AFP

Junius Kwan-yiu Ho
Lawyer and politician
legco.gov.hk

Agnes Chow Ting @chowtingagnes
Standing committee member, Demosistō
demosisto.hk

What do you think? For Hong Kong and China, how sustainable is the “one country, two systems” framework? Leave your thoughts below.