Welcome to Texas ProRata, where we take just 10 minutes to get you smarter on the collision of tech, business, and politics.

Sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank, Ideas Bank here. I'm Dan Pramack. On today's show, what was missing from WeWork's IPO filing and the White House stalls a big wind power project.

But first, big trouble in Little China.

So two months ago, we did an entire episode focused on protests in Hong Kong, where a proposed rule on extradition to mainland China was viewed as threatening the city's position as an independent global

business hub. Plus, a lot of people viewed it as an imposition that violated China's promise

to be mostly hands-off when it came to Hong Kong's affairs. Now, things are escalating.

This week has seen thousands of demonstrators pack the main terminal of Hong Kong's airport,

basically shutting the whole thing down by blocking departure areas and security gates.

Pepper spray toting riot police were there, too, one of whom was allegedly beaten with his own baton.

Now, state-run media in China has basically called the protesters terrorists, and there are images now of paramilitary police, Chinese paramilitary police, assembling across the

Hong Kong border in Shenzhen. President Trump is also tweeting about it this morning, but hasn't

issued any sort of statement in support of the protesters who are still ostensibly focused on

the extradition bill, but who have now expanded their list of pro-democracy demands to what

is feeling like an inevitable

showdown with Beijing. Why it matters for business is that Hong Kong is a global financial hub,

a gateway between east and west. Why it matters for trade is that all of this comes as China

and the U.S. seem further apart than ever before. And why it matters for global politics

is that Hong Kong could be the

next place where democracy runs up against dictatorship. But for the first time in centuries,

it's unclear exactly which side America is standing with. In 15 seconds, we'll go deeper with

Axios World Editor David Lawler. But first, this, ping pong tables, kombucha on tap, and open floor office plans are nice, but your startup will

need more to succeed. With Silicon Valley Bank, you'll get a banking and financial partner

...