Now that historic background and population are not to blame for the rising of the independence madness, what are to blame? Scepticism and rumours. As a few news agencies reported authorities from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong having allegedly rendezvoused with incumbent Hong Kong government officials to give pressure on their policy-making, people become increasingly aware of the day of expiration is arriving earlier than expected. Many are afraid of losing the well-established economic environment and judiciary system, and even the loss of their freedom of trade, speech, press and religion upon the arrival of the day when the Declaration expires. But would these notions be rather far-reached? Yes, China's judicial system may not be ideal currently; yes, China's reporters may not completely enjoy the freedom of press currently; yes, China may have constrains on your political ideology currently. But who knows what would happen in dozens of years' time? In the 1960s, Poland experienced the Stalinist era, ruled under complete dictatorship; Romania was policed under the Soviet Union, and pursued an autarchic policy; Soviet Union was the world's largest state, with a territory spanning over ten thousand kilometres. Yet, all of these, which people believed could not be changed, were completely altered dozens of years later, in the late 80s to early 90s. Poland became a social democratic country, with truly free elections held; Romania restored democracy and civil liberties of citizens, and turned towards free market economy; the Soviet Union, the formidable great nation, was dissolved! All of these examples illustrate how things that were once thought to be too robust to be even altered may be dismantled by time. Worrying about things dozens of years from now is definitely unnecessary. It is not an act of vigilance; it is only an act of sheer overreaction.
