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2003-07-20 East Asia
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Beijing puts Hong Kong on notice
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Chinaâs got more worrisome issues on its plate than removing the NK irritation from the world stage
CHINAâs leaders have endorsed besieged Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, signalling they will not bow to pressure during the biggest political crisis in the former colony since the 1997 handover from Britain. Chinese President Hu Jintao appeared to warn that further unrest could jeopardise Hong Kongâs future freedom.
Tiananmen II?
| Thereby killing the golden egged goose... |
After meeting Mr Tung in Beijing on Saturday for the first time since half-a-million people protested in Hong Kong on July 1, Mr Hu said the central Government was "extremely concerned" about recent events in the territory. But he insisted the controversial security legislation that sparked the mass protests would be passed. "Only by maintaining social stability can Hong Kong maintain a good business environment, maintain the characteristics of a free port and its standing as an international financial, trade and transport centre," Mr Hu said. "After earnest and wide-ranging consultations, the relevant legislation will certainly be understood, supported and endorsed by the Hong Kong compatriots." The central Government "firmly supports the Government led by Mr Tung Chee-hwa", he said.
But Mr Hu acknowledged a need to address some of the shortcomings that have angered Hong Kong people. Mr Tungâs Government would "certainly be able to do still better in gathering together social consensus, caring for the condition of society and the peopleâs wishes, and improving governance", he said. However, many in Hong Kong believe Mr Tungâs administration has merely earned a temporary reprieve while Beijing decides what to do next. Its challenge is to find a solution without being seen to intervene too directly in Hong Kongâs affairs, which China pledged not to do for 50 years under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle agreed for the 1997 handover from Britian and repeated in Mr Huâs comments at the weekend. Christine Loh, a former Hong Kong legislator and head of political think tank Civic Exchange, said: "Beijing is doing what it knows best, which is to show the strongest symbolic support, while thinking what it can do without outright controlling Hong Kong." Ms Loh accused Mr Tung of impulsive decision-making, favouritism, a low level of professionalism, elitist arrogance based on wealth rather than ability, poor use of talent and policy conservatism. But she said it was easier for Beijingâs leaders to blame the usual suspects â unco-operative civil servants, bad economic conditions, democratic forces, unsympathetic media and meddling foreign governments â than admit they had chosen the wrong man for the job.
In a commentary published in Hong Kong, an influential Beijing academic has suggested a way out: Mr Tung could delegate some of his duties to a new deputy capable of making up for his shortcomings. "Mr Tung lacks political skills and has been poor in handling crises," said Shi Yinhong, a professor in the school of international studies at the Peopleâs University in Beijing. "He is stubborn and reluctant to listen to different views. Besides, he is not adept at making compromises." But he was a crucial political symbol, and removing him now would damage the Governmentâs credibility, Professor Shi said. Professor Shi rated Mr Tungâs chances of retaining the central Governmentâs support at 60 to 70 per cent, "on condition he will make much more substantial change in his way of governance".
Two key executives in Mr Tungâs cabinet resigned last week, prompting a cabinet reshuffle. While this might create an opportunity to promote a deputy and other new faces as Professor Shi suggests, Ms Loh said Mr Tung had "such a poor reputation in how he works that people may be unwilling to work with him". It was also questionable whether he had the capacity to learn from his mistakes and consult more widely in future, as he has promised to do, she said. Professor Shi called for political compromise on all sides, warning that the central Government "cannot tolerate for long" any situation in which democratic forces have the upper hand in Hong Kong.
Pro-democracy legislator Lee Cheuk-yan said Beijingâs backing was not unexpected but noted the central Governmentâs dilemma. "If it removed Tung it could adversely impact social stability," Mr Lee said. "But if he stays, then his political clumsiness could alienate more people and hurt the economy and stability. Itâs a catch-22 situation. Support from Beijing does not mean Tung will get support from Hong Kong people, and he needs that more. We will continue our push for democracy."
Democracy? In a country that jails and beats to death a religious Tai Chi group? Riiiggghhtt 
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Posted by Frank G 2003-07-20 12:09:11 PM||
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Posted by PD 2003-7-20 1:06:43 PM||
2003-7-20 1:06:43 PM||
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Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-7-20 2:05:09 PM||
2003-7-20 2:05:09 PM||
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Posted by Anonymous 2003-7-20 10:00:57 PM||
2003-7-20 10:00:57 PM||
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