Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Gamble

Hong Kong's democrats gambled big this week. Tired of protests and negotiations, frustrated at the slow pace of political reform, five legislators from two political parties tendered their resignations. The move will trigger by-elections, an opportunity -- they hope -- for a de facto referendum on the territory's relationship with China. They call the plan a "new democratic movement." "Right now industry and business are calling the shots in Hong Kong," said Alan Leong, one of the lawmakers who resigned. "This is a way to take the democracy issue directly to the people." A strong showing in by-elections would be a triumph for the city's democracy movement and a blow to Beijing. But it's politically risky: If the gamble fails, and the protesters lose, Hong Kong's pro-independence movement won't just lose seats, but will also lose face. A loss now could send the fractured movement into an embarrassing spiral, making independence from China less likely than ever.