Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Last week, Msgr. Joseph Zen, bishop of Hong Kong, was able to visit the very town his was born in, Shanghai, after six years of travel restrictions imposed by the Chinese government.
Bishop Zen is known for being a tenacious defender of religious freedoms and democracy. Only a year ago he was criticized by various political figures in the Chinese capital and by a Patriotic Church bishop, Msgr. Fu Tieshan, who is also vice-president of the national parliament in Beijing.
Does the inviting of Bishop Zen to visit Shanghai signal a new era in relations between China, Hong Kong, the Catholic Church and the Vatican?
To help answer this question, AsiaNews interviewed Fr. Gianni Criveller, PIME, who is an expert in Chinese affairs and Church history. Fr. Criveller is a fellow at the Holy Spirit Study Center, a diocesan institute for theological and cultural studies.
What significance does Bishop Zen's visit have for Hong Kong-China relations?
His visit must be understood in terms of the relation between Hong Kong society and China. It is linked to recent developments in (Hong Kong's) rapport with China, to the interpretation of the Basic Law and the democratic developments that Beijing ruled out for 2007 and 2008. China is concerned about potential repercussions on mainland stability and about mass demonstrations like the one organized last July 1. This year there will be another of the kind in support of the (island's) democratization process. And Bishop Zen has already given his backing. Following China's decision, the people of Hong Kong have been quite nervous and demoralized.
Is his visit a sign of hope and does it give rise to certain prospects for the future?
It's still too early to say. We still must wait to find out. My opinion is "no". The visit is a mere step taken to minimize the damage created by China's decision (to forestall the democratization process). In the past few days Beijing has also authorized a meeting to take place between its own representatives and members of the Democratic Party, something which has never occurred in the last 6 years. But all this leads to nothing in concrete terms. Still, it is a sign that new (Chinese) government leaders want to maintain an open rapport in view of its change of policy. Jiang Zemin [former president, and current head the Chinese Military Commission] still has too much influence on Beijing and such roads to change are thus closed for the time being.
Can one interpret the trip as a relaxation in affairs with the Vatican?
No, the (bishop's) visit must be seen more in relation to the role Zen has with the people of Hong Kong. I don't think there are any new developments in the relationship with the Vatican. Some colleagues of mine say that this visit must be compared to Wen Jiabao (recent) European trip. Yet, it should be said that the government's invitation to the bishop had been open for several weeks. The fact is that Zen is considered to represent Hong Kong's conscience. Hence, the invitation serves to appease the entire population of Hong Kong.
Bishop Zen said that his trip to China "will not be hushed up". What do Catholics in Hong Kong have to say?
The Catholic community is for what the bishop thinks and says. Two days ago, the Sunday Examiner and Gong Jia Bao [the two Diocesan English and Chinese weeklies] went to print, painting the whole situation in black with "funeral-like" comments on Beijing's blocking the growth democracy in Hong Kong. These past few weeks there has much debate regarding religious freedom in China between Bishop Zen and a pro-China priest named Fr. Luke Choi. However the entire diocese stands behind the bishop. Zen has a very direct way of expressing himself. After the fight to abolish the anti-sedition law [the so-called Article 23], fought against by the bishop as well, respect for Zen has greatly increased.
What does China fear about Hong Kong's democratic advances?
There are two facts (that instill fear): number one, there is a power struggle going on in Beijing. Neither of the two factions in goverment has power to impose its own policies. Therefore, Beijing is using a carrot and stick approach in building relations with Hong Kong. Regarding Article 23, China has made steps in a backward direction and has imposed its own stance concerning the issue of democracy. This reflects, on one hand, the hard-line stance taken by Jiang Zemin and, on the other, Hu and Wen's more dialogical approach.
The second aspect is that China fears that a rapid democratization process in Hong Kong will lead to instability in China. However the words of order spoken by leaders in Beijing are "stability to complete economic reforms". In reality, China is probably need of greater political stability, while giving more representation to the general population.
