the situation in hong kong is unusual, in terms of contemporary geostrategic hotspots, in that the west may actually be on the right side. these people are legitimately fighting for basic rights, which the chinese state legitimately wants to curb or take away.

the caveat is of course the colonial history stemming from the forced british occupation of an indisputably chinese city, and i understand that opinions about that are diverse.

but, however you approach the situation, offering people a way out is both reasonable and appropriate. that is, if this transition is imminent, then those that are convinced that they cannot live happily under direct chinese rule should be given the option to escape.

so, i do support the canadian position on this - it is a rare enlightened bright spot in a foreign policy that has been rather dim, as of late.

and, i would call on the chinese to facilitate the process rather than attempt to retard it. once again: the messages being broadcast from beijing on this point are most unappealing.