China guaranteed Hong Kong that it would keep 'hands off' for 50 years, but recently it has steadily been shortening that time frame. Article 39 of the HongKong Basic Law protects the right of Hong Kong's citizens to self-determination: the have the right to petition for referendums on any public issue. The people of Hong Kong people avail of this right and vote to decide their future. Otherwise when dictatorship becomes a reality, they will be obliged to resist.