The New York Times, December 21, 1996
Hong Kong Puppet Play
Where is the outrage from the rest of the world?
By Martin C.M. Lee
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- Hong Knog is officilaly set ot be handed over to China on June 30, 1997. But a de facto transfer of sovereignty is set to happen today in Shenzhen, a border town in southern China. Moreover, a number of the appointees ran for the Legislative Council in Hong Kong but were rejected by voters in 1991 and 1995. These officials will now have every incentive to pass laws to insure that they will never gain be humiliated in genuine elections.
- Despite these affronts to Hong Kong's autonomy, the democratic countries of the world refuse to object. But nations and businesses eager egislative Council. It will be the beginning fo the end of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
- In effect, China is reversing the results of the watershed election of September 1995, when more than a million Hong Kong citizens faced down threats from Beijing and elected legislators who pledged to fight for freedom and our way of life. It was the first Now Hong Kong will have two legislature operating simultaneously: one elected and supported by the people of Hong Kong, the other appointed by Beijing to pass repressive laws to control Hong Kong. In June, the appointed body is to take over for at least a year.
- The 1984 Joint Declaration, in which Britain agreed to hand over Hong Kong, promised that Hong Kong would have an elected legislature, an executive accountable to that legislature, a "high degree of autonomy" and an independent judiciary.
- It was agreed that Hong Kong would retain its capitalist economy and govern itself without interference from China in all matters except defense and foreign affairs.
- Thos guarantees are in tatters now. The newly appointed body will violate the Joint Declaration and breach Beijing's own constitution for Hong Kong, known as the Basic Law.
- Chinese leaders did not dare appoint this body in Hong Kong itself. I threatened to get an injunction from the High Court to stop its establishment and operation here.
- Clearly, this new legislature will be a rubber stamp for China's agenda. Tung Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive appointed last week by Beijing, has endorsed both a new law on subversion and a measure to roll back Hong Kong's Bill of Rights.
- Repressive colonial laws to restrict freedom of assembly and expression will be resurrected, and eventually Hong Kong's courts -- no matter how independent the judges -- will be forced to carry out these laws.
- Moreover, a number of the appointees ran for the Legislative Council in Hong Kong but were rejected by voters in 1991 and 1995. These officials will now have every incentive to pass laws to insure that they will never gain be humiliated in genuine elections.
- Despite these affronts to Hong Kong's autonomy, the democratic countries of the world refuse to object. But nations and businesses eager to expand trade with China should remember that a free and autonomous Hong Kong, providing the rule of law, a level playing field and a free flow of information will make it easier to do business in china itself. Indeed, Hong Kong would serve as a model for China.
- Chinese leaders must be persuaded to honor their international promises in full, including their pledge to maintain democracy in Hong Kong.
- The 1992 U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act commits Washington to support democratic institutions in Hong Kong. President Clinton should invoke it to encourage China to allow free and fair elections.
- Chinese leaders evidently think that by dismissing Hong Kong's legitimate leaders and replacing them with proxies, the people of Hong Kong will be silenced. We won't be.: Where is the outrage from the rest of the world?eake it easier to do business in Chinese leaders must be persuaded to honor their international promises in full, including their pledge to maintain democracy in Hong Kong.
- The 1992 U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act commits Washington to support democratic institutions in Hong Kong. President Clinton should invoke it to encourage China to allow free and fair elections.
- Chinese leaders evidently think that by dismissing Hong Kong's legitimate leaders and replacing them with proxies, the people of Hong Kong will be silenced. We won't be.
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