December 12, 2007
THERE IS NO CHINA:
Hong Kong Leader Presses China for Vote (DONALD GREENLEES, 12/12/07, NY Times)
Facing widespread demands from the public for full democracy to be introduced within five years, the Hong Kong government urged the Chinese government on Wednesday to set a firm timetable for direct elections for the region’s leader and legislature.Posted by Orrin Judd at December 12, 2007 9:15 PMHong Kong’s chief executive, Donald Tsang, said an early agreement on a date for carrying out the promise of universal suffrage would help “ultimately resolve” a deadlock between democrats and the conservatives who are loyal to the government in Beijing over how and when to achieve democracy. [...]
But Mr. Tsang’s failure to recommend dates for direct elections drew immediate criticism from leading democrats.
Anson Chan, an independent legislator who won a resounding victory in an election Dec. 2 after she campaigned for full democracy by 2012, said she was “very disappointed” with the government’s position. She said the government had neglected the clear will of Hong Kong’s people.
“Surely as chief executive he has the responsibility to reflect mainstream attitudes,” Mrs. Chan said in an interview.
What's stopping them from holding their own elections and voting for their own representatives now? Is there some kind of revenue stream coming from Beijing to Hong Kong which is threatening such an action? Will Beijing send an army to destroy an international coastal city? - I doubt it. The Hong Kongese got the royal treatment during the handover and it just helped legitimize the CCP, who have had no claim on that piece of land in the first place. But the HKs should do whatever they want - everybody else in "China" is starting to do that now anyhow.
Posted by: KRS at December 13, 2007 2:41 AMStroking their pride over Hong Kong is proving to be indigestion for the PRC. If Tibet were as 'cosompolitan', it would be the same for them. And they still bluster about invading Taiwan?
But (with the PRC/PLA) it is all about the face, isn't it?
Posted by: jim hamlen at December 13, 2007 8:36 AMPeople should have a say in their own governance, but the CCP won't be that keen to give up power. Related at http://lowsen.com/blog/2007/12/hong_kong_democracy_shanghaied.html
Posted by: Ben L. at December 20, 2007 8:33 PM