Beijing has last word on democracy in Hong Kong
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Today the Standing Committee of the National People's Assembly decreed that any political reform in Hong Kong would have to first be submitted for Beijing's approval prior to being enacted locally.
The Committee's 176 members, of which only 6 have direct experience of life in Hong Kong, have in actual fact reaffirmed China's power over the present and future of the island. The decision, obvious to many analysts, is sparking anti-Beijing criticism and against Hong Kong's governor, shipowner Tung Chee-hwa, who is seen as too submissive to the mainland's wishes.
Tsang Hin-chi, the only Hong Kong delegate on the Standing Committee, said that Beijing's decision "is quite vague" and permits Hong Kong's electoral system to "change" or "remain the same as before". Human rights organizations however say that China's move is a statement of its absolute control over the territory. "The people of Hong Kong have been robbed of their rights," said Law Yuk-kai of the Human Rights Monitor.
Hong Kong reverted back to China in 1997 under the "one country, two systems" formula, leaving Hong Kong with "ample autonomy". The exceptions to the policy are seen in the island's ability to shape its own foreign policy and national security. In the last few years pro-democracy groups have pushed for reforms, calling for the direct election of the island's governor by 2007 and universal suffrage by 2008. The Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution signed by Great Britain and China, allows for such political reforms but not doesn't establish any particular agenda for implementing them.
Beijing's decision to lay down the law regarding the Basic Law's "interpretation" has come even before Hong Kong has prepared a draft for electoral system reform.
And China did so without consulting Hong Kong first. Some analysts say that such actions undermine the distinction drawn between "two systems", thereby placing Hong Kong under the Chinese "system". James To, a democratic MP in Hong Kong, said China's decision to "interpret" the Basic Law is "illegal" since it means amending Hong Kong's constitution without following specified procedures.
.png)
