Beijing rules out full democracy for Hong Kong people
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - China's most powerful legislative committee ruled Monday that Hong Kong will not have direct elections for its next leader in 2007, crushing hopes in the Chinese territory for a quick move toward total democracy.
The Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee decided that the territory will be allowed to make changes to its electoral methods, but they must come gradually.
For two years, Hong Kong's population has been asking for the right to democratically elect a successor to the unpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in 2007 and to elect all lawmakers in 2008.
The requests are motivated by the poor performance of Tung Chee-hwa and the increasing influence of Beijing in Hong Kong's affairs.
At least 80% of Hong Kong people support changes in the electoral methods. Tsang Hin-chi, a Hong Kong delegate to the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the Standing Committee voted almost unanimously to approve its new guidelines for Hong Kong politics, and that it had listened to Hong Kong public opinion.
But opposition Hong Kong lawmaker Fred Li accused Beijing of "dictating Hong Kong policy" without regard to public opinion. Li said the decision violated Beijing's promise to give Hong Kong a great deal of autonomy when it was returned from Britain to China in 1997.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, maintains the possibility of direct elections of the leader in 2007 and of all lawmakers in 2008. The Basic Law sets out full democracy as an eventual goal but sets no timetable.
Up to now, the Chief Executive is appointed by Beijing. Hong Kong residents can directly elect 30 of the 60 lawmakers. The other 30 are chosen by elite voters from special interest groups - such as business leaders, doctors and bankers - who tend to side with Beijing.
According to Hong Kong people, Tung Chee-hwa is too lenient towards Beijing and does not stand up for the interest of the Hong Kong citizens, whose dissatisfaction was expressed in a large-scale demonstration march last July where 500 thousand people joined; last Easter Sunday there was another demonstration with 20 thousand people.
Beijing fears that the winds of democracy may spread into the mainland.
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19/04/2007
13/09/2016 15:09
