Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The first visit by President Hu to Hong Kong, marking the 10th anniversary of the return of the ex British colony to China, is being carefully choreographed: official events alternate with athletic tournaments and encounters with young people, including a ping pong match with a 13 year old, and a visit laden with gifts to an under privileged family. But speak of universal suffrage and democracy is strictly forbidden.
Yesterday Hu, on his arrival, met with Chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and other authorities and he participated in official ceremonies marking the anniversary. Then he took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves and together with Tsang he went to Hong Kong where he met star athletes preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games. He also visited two ordinary families, bringing them gifts such as a computer and a flat screen TV. In front of TV cameras the families expressed their pride at being part of China and their praise and thanks of the President for his kindness.
The press, carefully chosen, was briefed on what aspects of each event was to be covered. Images were carried only by the state media. It is impossible to approach Hu or to speak of issues such as universal suffrage, which Beijing had promised to concede, but has now indefinitely postponed, and for which tomorrow there a great protest has been planned. A group of protesters of the April Fifth Action Group and the League of Social Democrats, tried to march to Government House for the welcome dinner, they were stopped at Cheung Kong Centre.
Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political scientist with the Chinese University of Hong Kong told the South China Morning Post that “it's the mainland's culture: they won't consider any opposing voices”.
