Democrats applaud Bishop's Shanghai visit
(AsiaNews) Hong Kong Democrats applauded the visit of Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kuin to his native Shanghai last week as a chance to open communication with Beijing and promote their goal of universal suffrage. Several democrats voiced their enthusiasm for the mainland officials' invitation to the exiled pro-democratic Bishop, understanding it to be a positive sign of openness on the part of the Chinese government.
Jackie Hung Ling-yu, spokeswoman for the Civil Human Rights Front said, "The mainland has made a friendly gesture and hopefully they will listen to us more."
Democrat Szeto Wah, himself barred from the mainland since the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989, turned down an earlier invitation for a secret visit to the country, but voiced his support of the Bishop's trip, saying he was glad that Bishop Zen had gone.
Even those on the other political side agree against cynics that the visit is a positive thing for Hong Kong-mainland relations. One of the Bishop's sharpest critics, pro-Beijing priest Fr. Luke Tsui Kam-yiu, stated that the meeting between the Bishop and mainland officials would have a positive impact on the relationship between the local diocese and Beijing.
Though the Bishop was silent about political matters during his visit, using the three-day stay as a more sentimental 'pilgrimage' to his home, he did meet with unidentified mainland officials, and was hosted at the expense of Shanghai authorities.
Bishop Zen also said he hoped his visit would lead to further dialogue with Beijing.
The Bishop, forbidden to enter the country since 1998, was criticized by mainland officials for interfering with political matters with his well-known stance on human rights, national security laws and political reform. He has been a long-time supporter of universal suffrage.
Back in Hong Kong, the Bishop is battling Education Amendment Bill 2002 which would place private Catholic schools under direct accountability to the government. The Bishop threatens to close some of the diocese's 100 schools if the bill is passed.
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07/02/2019 17:28
19/04/2007
