The New York Times this morning has additional reporting on Tuesday's rewriting of the Basic Law by the Chinese government. There is nothing new in the reporting, but the Times does state in clear terms what drove the ruling: "Chinese leaders are especially nervous about the threat democracy poses to their one-party system after Taiwan voters re-elected Chen Shui-bian as president last month." As though a pesky desire for freedom in Taiwan weren't enough, Beijing also has to deal with people who for inexplicable reasons assert a human right to self-governance in Hong Kong. The Times writes, "... the ruling on Tuesday seemed tailored to ensure that the territory not fall under the control of people the Communist Party considers dangerous or disloyal." Democracy threatens one-party rule and disloyalty is dangerous- this neatly summarizes politics in China.
How long until Hong Kong exodus? Where are they going to go? Also, aren't all the other cities in China "represented" by strong party men, gunning for Hong Kong's prosperity to be transferred to them? Doesn't look good.
Posted by: John at April 8, 2004 06:40 PMThank you for your comments.
With apologies to the good people of Hong Kong for using a metaphor with French overtones, when frogs are placed directly into a pot of boiling water they immediately leap out of the pot. When frogs are placed in a pot of cold water, which is then brought to a boil, leaping out of the pot does not occur to them and they die. I would suggest that the Chinese government has in mind a strategy similar to the latter example- slowly doing away with rights and freedoms until Hong Kong is dead. The process is more often subtle, like the threat of recrimination that causes individual and media self-censorship, than it is overt like the recent rewriting of the Basic Law. Some 7 to 10 percent of Hong Kong residents have foreign passports. They represent Hong Kong’s upper class, not the super rich who can afford to buy peace and influence with Chinese Communist Party, but the working wealthy and educated who are essential to Hong Kong’s economy. Without freedom they will go, and when they do the spirit of Hong Kong will go with them.
Posted by: Soldier at April 8, 2004 09:41 PM