Andrew L. Jaffee, September 5, 2003
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Victory for Democracy in Hong Kong; Setback for Commies
Andrew L. Jaffee, September 5, 2003 |
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There was a victory for democracy in Hong Kong today, even though that city-state is now controlled by the People's Republic of China:
The Hong Kong government has withdrawn a controversial anti-subversion bill that sparked the territory's biggest political crisis in recent years.
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said the government would not introduce a new version of the legislation until more public consultations had been held.
Why did Tung withdraw the bill? Because the people of Hong Kong were brave enough to publicly oppose it. At least 500,000 pro-democracy demonstrators filled the streets of Hong Kong on July 1. That day marked the 6th anniversary of transfer of control of the city-state from British to Chinese rule. Protestors were out to harangue their appointed leader (not elected) Tung Chee-hwa and his push for Hong Kong's "legislature" to pass an "anti-subversion bill." The bill would've allowed the city-state's government to imprison a person for life for "acts of subversion."
The fight over the bill has caused a shake-up in Hong Kong's government. On July 16, Regina Ip, Hong Kong's chief of security resigned due to her (mis-)handling of the anti-subversion bill. Finance Secretary Antony Leung quit the government a few hours later.
The implications of this are staggering for the People's Republic. Public demonstrations? Bills being withdrawn? Ministers resigning? Kind-of smacks of democracy, no? According to the BBC:
Mr Tung has put on a brave face but it is without doubt an embarrassing climb-down for him and his administration. ...
By putting the bill on hold, Mr Tung has accepted that he needs to win the support of the community before he can take these proposals forward any further.
I think that's an understatement of what's happening. Remember how the Beijing communists massacred hundreds of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square? Remember their recent suppression of religious freedoms in China (see Falun Gong article). Don't forget their vicious occupation of Tibet.
There have got to be Beijing apparachniks and generals just itching to send in the troops. But Hong Kong is an economic powerhouse. And, as a former British colony, with people from all over shuffling in and out of Hong Kong, the spotlight is on this magnificent city-state. Poor commies. They're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just think how worried they are about Hong Kong's democratic urges "infecting" the motherland. And just yesterday, Taiwan held a huge military exercise, sending a clear message to the mainland: "Back off!"
We can only hope that the democratic influences of Taiwan and Hong Kong will infect mainland China. The free world needs to support democracy in China. If you are interested in supporting democracy within the Chinese sphere, please click on the links shown below: