Frank Ching,
Yale GlobalChina had two setbacks in November, reminders that centralized communist governance is not appreciated worldwide. First, Hong Kong reported record turnout for district council elections, widely regarded as a referendum on China's control. Pro-democratic forces won by a landslide, taking control over 17 of the 18 councils from establishment candidates supported by China. Then, US President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law despite China's warnings over damage to bilateral relations. The dual shock seems to have led China, for now, to adopt a...