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Monday, April 26, 2004

Many people in Hong Kong have been demanding the right to democratically elect a successor to their chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, a former shipping tycoon chosen for his position by an 800-member committee that tends to side with Beijing.

But the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee said "universal suffrage shall not apply" to the selection of Tung's successor in 2007 or members of the Legislative Council the following year.

Under the ruling, the territory will be allowed to make changes to its electoral methods, but only "in the principle of gradual and orderly progress," China's official news agency Xinhua quoted the committee as saying.

In a hint of the reforms that might be possible, Hong Kong's No. 2 official, Donald Tsang, said the committee that selects Tung's successor could be expanded to make it more representative.

But Tsang sought to play down any hopes that the public will have a greater say.

"We must understand the political reality," he said.

When Hong Kong reverted from British administration to Chinese rule in 1997, Beijing's leadership promised a "one country, two systems" governance that would ensure the territory's autonomy for coming decades. International observers said that would protect Hong Kong's status as an economic jewel.

Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, holds out the possibility that ordinary residents can elect their next leader in 2007 and all lawmakers by 2008. But earlier this month, the Standing Committee ruled that Beijing would have to give advance approval for any political changes.

Tung then proposed a set of nine guidelines that any reforms should meet, including keeping China's views in mind.

China insisted it had paid heed to the public's wishes. Beijing noted that Hong Kong's system of partial democracy gives ordinary people more say than they had under 156 years of British colonial rule.

Fake but 'Real'

"Before 1997, the Hong Kong compatriots, including your fathers and mothers, had no democracy," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told reporters in Shanghai. "Now, everything follows the rule of law, and this is real democracy."

Although ordinary Hong Kongers have no say in picking their leader, they will directly elect 30 of 60 Legislative Council members in September, up from 24 last time.

Opposition lawmaker Fred Li accused Beijing of "dictating Hong Kong policy" without regard to public opinion. Li said the decision violated Beijing's promise to give Hong Kong a great deal of autonomy after the handover.

Political scientists and pro-democracy politicians predicted more protests in Hong Kong. A large one is planned for July 1, the anniversary of a march by 500,000 people that forced Tung to backtrack on an anti-subversion bill that was widely seen here as a threat to freedom.

"We will not give up the fight for democracy," Yeung Sum, the leader of Hong Kong's opposition Democratic Party, said at a news conference.

Tung told reporters he understood that Beijing's decision would upset many of Hong Kong's 6.8 million people, but he urged them to "be calm and rational and strive for consensus on the constitutional development of Hong Kong."

Full democracy remains Hong Kong's constitutional goal, Tung insisted, but he would not offer any timetable.

Though Hong Kong residents will elect 30 lawmakers in September, the other 30 will be chosen by elite voters from special-interest groups - such as business leaders, doctors and bankers - which tend to side with Beijing.

Critics say that keeps the system unfairly rigged, and Tsang said there were no plans to expand the proportion of legislative seats that are directly elected.

Just hours before China issued its decision, three hardline political activists tried Monday to enter the mainland and protest but were turned back at the border following a minor scuffle.

© 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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