Bishop Zen: the July 1 march is a time of protest, not of celebration
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/SCMP) "The march of July 1 is not a procession of celebration. It is a protest march. A peaceful one, but none the less a determined one." These are the forceful remarks that Joseph Zen Zekiun, Hong Kong's outspoken bishop, makes in a letter published in the June 27 edition of the diocesan weekly Sunday Examiner, on the eve of July 1, the seventh anniversary of Honk Kong's return to the motherland. About 300,000 citizens of the former British colony are expected to take part in the peaceful march, not so much to celebrate the handover of the territory to China, as some Chinese officials or pro-China sympathisers claim, but rather as an opportunity to call for greater democracy and autonomy. In particular, they want to defend their right to directly elect the Governor and the principle of universal suffrage which China wishes to eliminate. Increasingly, the population is worried and unhappy about China's policy. The latter is accused of interfering in Hong Kong's affairs, of not respecting the territory's autonomy, and of disregarding the principle of "one country, two systems."
In his letter, Monsignor Zen uses clear terms in support of the peaceful march on July 1. "I was asked if I wanted to 'incite' the faithful to come to the July 1 rally. In my opinion, the term 'incite' has negative connotations and gives the impression that taking part in a demonstration is a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it is a good thing. A peaceful rally is an effective way to convey people's shared feelings, to provide an outlet for frustration and anger and to give hope in a hopeless situation." In outlining the situation in the territory, the bishop writes that "looking back at the seven years since the handover to China, it does not take much to see that fundamental values like justice and compassion have been seriously compromised in our beloved city. For that, the government must assume the responsibility. Inhumane policies have followed one after another; the weak of society have been driven to despair. Through the reinterpretation of the Basic Law families have been split. Through administrative measures, the right to schooling has been denied to children. The public order ordinance sought to limit the right of assembly. Indiscriminate cuts in subsidies for the poor took four-hundred dollars a month from the already low salaries of domestic helpers under the pretext of a 'training fund'. Newcomers from the Mainland have been punished by making them wait seven years for comprehensive subsidies. The gap between rich and poor has widened. And the rule of law has often been damaged."
In response to those who accuse him of having an anti-Beijing position, Bishop Zen replies that "some people say that reconciliation is better than confrontation. Sure. But those who have caused the damage are bound to repair it." He adds: "We are well-intentioned citizens, we love our country, and we love Hong Kong. In this historical moment, by joining the July 1 rally we hope to awaken consciences. Our aim is to achieve cordial collaboration with everyone and [ ] to have real participation in the discussion about constitutional reform."
Monsignor Zen met representatives of the central government in Hong Kong yesterday, June 25, stating that they had a "very frank" discussion. "I told them that we march for greater democracy, not to seek conflict or opposition."
Speaking about the July 1 demonstration, Yang Wenchang, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, declared: "According to the Basic Law, Hong Kong people have the right to protest and march, but this right should be correctly exercised. On the one hand, people have to express their demands reasonably and rationally; on the other, they also have to avoid creating fierce emotions in society."
In response to demands by representatives of the pro-democracy movement, who are barred from returning to Mainland China, Yang said: ""I think anybody would have the chance to go to the mainland." (ThR)
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