China’s Xi Has Few Good Options to End the Chaos in Hong Kong
- Sending in the troops risks sparking international backlash
- Appeasement could weaken the Communist Party’s grip on power
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As Hong Kong reels from seemingly endless unrest, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s options to resolve the conflict aren’t great.
A soft approach toward protesters addressing demands for democracy could show dissidents on the mainland that widespread upheaval can bring about political change, something that may imperil the Communist Party’s grip on power. At the same time, sending in Chinese troops to restore order risks an international backlash that may do irreparable harm to the city’s economy with no guarantee of success.