The communist dictators of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have ruled that Hong Kong cannot elect its next leader, reneging on an earlier promise. The commies trotted out the usual, lame excuse that a democratic referendum may “stir social and economic instability.” The converse is true. Many business people have fled Hong Kong since the violent communist crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in 1989 at Tiananmen Square. Mainland China’s insistence on absolute control over Hong Kong will do more damage to the city-state’s dynamic economy.

Hong Kong’s appointed leader (not elected) Tung Chee-hwa supports China’s decision (surprise!). This is despite the fact that the city-state’s population is vocally in favor of democracy. At least 500,000 pro-democracy demonstrators filled the streets of Hong Kong on July 1, 2003. That day marked the 6th anniversary of transfer of control of the city-state from British to Chinese rule. Protestors were out to harangue Tung for his push to get Hong Kong's "legislature" to pass an "anti-subversion bill." The bill basically would’ve allowed the city-state's government to imprison a person for life for "acts of subversion."

But democracy is still fresh in the minds of the people of Hong Kong. They enjoyed it while under British sovereignty. Imagine how they felt when they were handed over to communist China, one of the world's worst tyrannies.

Hong Kong-ers are very brave to speak their minds so publicly, and their protests have had an effect on city policies. On July 16, Regina Ip, Hong Kong's chief of security resigned due to her mishandling of the anti-subversion bill. Finance Secretary Antony Leung quit the government a few hours later. Incidentally, Leung was already in hot water for buying a new luxury car just before he raised a tax on new vehicles. After the resignations and big demonstrations, Tung withdrew his anti-subversion bill. So there’s still hope for democracy in Hong Kong.

Tung and his fellow mainland Chinese tyrants are reneging on previous commitments. Before the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China, the commies promised that the city-state would be permitted some autonomy. China called this “one country, two systems” and agreed on a constitution (“Basic Law”) which laid out a plan for gradual democratic reforms, including direct elections scheduled for 2007.

Hong Kong legislators, the U.S., and Britain have condemned China’s dirty dealing. Let’s hope the Western world will back up these condemnations with actions. China has become such an economic powerhouse that its business partners -- like the U.S. -- are reticent at giving up their steady supply of cheap products from the workers’ paradise.

It pleases me to no end that Beijing has to deal two Chinese bastions of economic and democratic freedom right near home: Taiwan and Hong Kong. Let’s not forget these brave people.