---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If Hong Kong could exercise democratic…"
description: "\"If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance under the sovereignty of China, it would not be necessary for us to take this step on the path t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg"
---

#  If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance…

![“If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance under the sovereignty of China, it would not be necessary for us to take this step on the path toward independence.” quote by Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg)

> “If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance under the sovereignty of China, it would not be necessary for us to take this step on the path toward independence.”

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates for democratic autonomy within China to avoid separatist conflict.

**In simple terms:** Democracy within China prevents independence drive.

Key Takeaway

Support self‑governance, not secession.

Themes

democracy autonomy politics

Mood

determined hopeful

Type

political activist

When to use this quote

- political activism
- policy reform
- public discourse

Key Concepts

self‑determination conflict avoidance

Questions to Reflect On

- How can democratic reforms be achieved under current political realities?
- What alternatives exist to full independence?

A Different Perspective

May overlook practical constraints of Chinese sovereignty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [China Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china-necessary-1886621/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Governance Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governance-sovereignty-5383148/) [Hong kong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hong-kong/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Self Governance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-governance-1140181/) [Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty/) [Sovereignty China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty-china-5383147/) [Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/)

## Related quotes

> [We should, through civic referendums, determine our own pathways and political status after 2047, because in this lies the future of our democratic movement.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/we-should-through-civic-referendums-determine-our-own-pathways-and/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [China surely must be interested in a more stable, non-antagonistic relationship with the African continent precisely because of its own needs. And therefore would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/china-surely-must-be-interested-in-a-more-stable-non-antagonistic/)

[Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/)

> [We have a duty to look after each other. If we lose control of our government, then we lose our ability to dispense justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-granny-d-haddock/we-have-a-duty-to-look-after-each-other-if-we-lose-control-of-our/)

[Doris "Granny D" Haddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-granny-d-haddock/)

> [All of us need to remember, a government of, by, and for the people depends upon healthy debate and a civil exchange of ideas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-johnson/all-of-us-need-to-remember-a-government-of-by-and-for-the-people/)

[Mike Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-johnson/)

> [Our courts and law, our on-going experiment in self-governance, these parts of our social fabric are precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-cunningham/our-courts-and-law-our-on-going-experiment-in-self-governance-these/)

[Cal Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-cunningham/)

> [Children are way more articulate, way more connected to their rights, and they want to be fully participating, empowered members of society but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-tsabary/children-are-way-more-articulate-way-more-connected-to-their-rights/)

[Shefali Tsabary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-tsabary/)

> [One of the enduring problems with certain societies in the world - and this is certainly true of a lot of places in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/one-of-the-enduring-problems-with-certain-societies-in-the-world-and/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [The UN should arrange, as US forces leave, for an international group of peacekeepers and negotiators from the Arab countries to bring together Shiites,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/the-un-should-arrange-as-us-forces-leave-for-an-international-group/)

[Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/)

> [We must remember that although we come from different backgrounds and ideologies, we're all part of this great experiment in self-governance. We're all united…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/we-must-remember-that-although-we-come-from-different-backgrounds-and/)

[Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/)

> [Freedom and Liberty cannot exist without Individual Responsibilty. Failure to exercise Individual Responsibilty forfeits your right to self-governance and delivers it to Government which,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wilson/freedom-and-liberty-cannot-exist-without-individual-responsibilty/)

[Brian Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wilson/)

> [When our Founders created this great experiment in self-governance, the House of Representatives became, by design, the body closest to the people. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/when-our-founders-created-this-great-experiment-in-self-governance/)

[Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/)

> [We do not want to see a Hong Kong that enjoys freedoms on paper, but whose autonomous status conceals the workings of a totalitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/we-do-not-want-to-see-a-hong-kong-that-enjoys-freedoms-on-paper-but/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Historically, Hong Kong has served as an important bridge between China and the world. Our freedoms, stability and the rule of law have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/historically-hong-kong-has-served-as-an-important-bridge-between/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I think that compared to other politicians who have been put in jail in the past, compared to the human-rights activists in history who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-think-that-compared-to-other-politicians-who-have-been-put-in-jail/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

## More by Joshua Wong

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [From horrific incidents of police brutality and complicity in indiscriminate attacks by triads on citizens to arbitrary mass arrests and the banning of demonstrations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/from-horrific-incidents-of-police-brutality-and-complicity-in/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I think that compared to other politicians who have been put in jail in the past, compared to the human-rights activists in history who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-think-that-compared-to-other-politicians-who-have-been-put-in-jail/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Historically, Hong Kong has served as an important bridge between China and the world. Our freedoms, stability and the rule of law have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/historically-hong-kong-has-served-as-an-important-bridge-between/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [The fight for democracy is a long-term battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/the-fight-for-democracy-is-a-long-term-battle/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [In 2014, we were opposing President Xi Jinping. Five years later, we are opposing Emperor Xi Jinping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/in-2014-we-were-opposing-president-xi-jinping-five-years-later-we-are/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [We do not want to see a Hong Kong that enjoys freedoms on paper, but whose autonomous status conceals the workings of a totalitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/we-do-not-want-to-see-a-hong-kong-that-enjoys-freedoms-on-paper-but/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I hope Hong Kong isn't just named Hong Kong but it can still be the Hong Kong we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-hope-hong-kong-isn-t-just-named-hong-kong-but-it-can-still-be-the/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [The education system of Hong Kong has often been slammed for marginalising a lot of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/the-education-system-of-hong-kong-has-often-been-slammed-for/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Our bodies are held captive, but our pursuit of freedom cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/our-bodies-are-held-captive-but-our-pursuit-of-freedom-cannot-be/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Hong Kongers deserve universal suffrage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/hong-kongers-deserve-universal-suffrage/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Having grown up under Chinese rule, I don't have any memory of colonial Hong Kong or feel any attachment to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/having-grown-up-under-chinese-rule-i-don-t-have-any-memory-of/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I do not lead the Hong Kong protests, because no one person leads the protests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-do-not-lead-the-hong-kong-protests-because-no-one-person-leads-the/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [I don't know if I'm going to jail for three weeks, three months, or three years, but I think what I've done to motivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-don-t-know-if-i-m-going-to-jail-for-three-weeks-three-months-or/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [We desire and thirst for freedom, democracy and the rule of law just like anyone else. And we are prepared to fight tooth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/we-desire-and-thirst-for-freedom-democracy-and-the-rule-of-law-just/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

[Explore all 105 Joshua Wong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

## More China quotes

> [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/)

[Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/)

> [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/)

[Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/)

> [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/)

[Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/)

> [There is no precedent of an advanced economy withdrawing from a trade agreement as deep and as complex as the European Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-johnson/there-is-no-precedent-of-an-advanced-economy-withdrawing-from-a-trade/)

[Jo Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-johnson/)

> [In China, people are moving from bigger cars to small hatches, and interestingly, the Indian market is graduating to bigger cars and sedans. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winfried-vahland/in-china-people-are-moving-from-bigger-cars-to-small-hatches-and/)

[Winfried Vahland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winfried-vahland/)

> [Broken china lasts longer than unbroken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-renard/broken-china-lasts-longer-than-unbroken/)

[Jules Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-renard/)

> [Language is so specific to art, all the way to the past in China. Previously, people were not allowed to include various regional dialects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jia-zhangke/language-is-so-specific-to-art-all-the-way-to-the-past-in-china/)

[Jia Zhangke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jia-zhangke/)

> [I don't see why we and the Chinese should have to be enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-don-t-see-why-we-and-the-chinese-should-have-to-be-enemies/)

[Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/)

> [India may be overtaking China as the world's most polluted country. Even now, which country is worse depends on the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-inskeep/india-may-be-overtaking-china-as-the-world-s-most-polluted-country/)

[Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-inskeep/)

> [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/)

[Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/)

> [We're always willing to look at ways NAFTA can work better. But it's a fine line between looking at ways to make it work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/we-re-always-willing-to-look-at-ways-nafta-can-work-better-but-it-s-a/)

[Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/)

> [The situation with Tibet has to change. China is one of the last huge dictatorships, holding on to these colonies, provinces. That has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-yauch/the-situation-with-tibet-has-to-change-china-is-one-of-the-last-huge/)

[Adam Yauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-yauch/)

> [Put plainly, China seems determined to steal its way up the economic ladder, at our expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/put-plainly-china-seems-determined-to-steal-its-way-up-the-economic/)

[Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/)

> [The remarkable thing about the Chinese is that they've operated differently than the Russians, the Iranians, and the North Koreans. By and large, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-e-sanger/the-remarkable-thing-about-the-chinese-is-that-they-ve-operated/)

[David E. Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-e-sanger/)

[Browse all 3,827 China quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance under the sovereignty of China, it would not be necessary for us to take this step on the path toward independence.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joshua Wong"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-self-governance-under-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "China"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-self-governance-under-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/joshua-wong-4879_china_if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-s_1478461.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If Hong Kong could exercise democratic self-governance under the sovereignty of China, it would not be…” — Joshua Wong",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joshua Wong",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If Hong Kong could exercise democratic...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-self-governance-under-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/if-hong-kong-could-exercise-democratic-self-governance-under-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
