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HK gov't unveils contentious election reform plan
2005-10-19
HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government unveiled a package of controversial reforms on Wednesday aimed at making elections for the special Chinese territory's leader and legislators more democratic.But pro-democracy lawmakers swiftly condemned the plan, saying it did not contain a roadmap for universal suffrage and was not representative enough, creating a potentially damaging challenge to new Chief Executive Donald Tsang and possibly annoying Beijing. Tsang called for non-partisan support of the reform initiative, which analysts have said is one of the biggest tests of his two-year term, saying the changes would lead to the ultimate goal of full democracy. "This is a defining moment for constitutional development in Hong Kong," Tsang said. The former British colony is governed under a "one country, two systems" formula that affords it a degree of autonomy from Beijing. The Hong Kong Basic Law, its mini-constitution, says that full democracy is the ultimate goal but gives no timeframe for the transition. Presently, the chief executive of the city of seven million people is selected by a 800 member, Beijing-controlled election committee, and only half of the Legislative Council (Legco), or legislature, is directly elected. The government proposed doubling the election committee and adding 10 seats to the Legislative Council, five of which will be directly elected. Tsang's deputy, Chief Secretary Rafael Hui, unveiled the package before Legco, saying the reforms would help pave the way for full democracy while balancing divergent opinions. "We are serious and sincere in achieving the ultimate aim of universal suffrage. The proposed package is a major step forward towards this goal," he said. "In the future, we will continue to move forward in this direction step by step." NO DEMOCRACY TIMETABLE But Hui was peppered with questions from legislators about why the reform package did not include a timetable for the transition to full democracy. "How many steps do we have to take before we could achieve universal suffrage?" democracy advocate and legislator Martin Lee asked. Beijing has ruled out full democracy for the chief executive election in 2007 and the Legco election in 2008, despite widespread public support for universal suffrage. Two-thirds of Legco's 60 members must back the package for it to become policy, but that possibility appeared in doubt after all but one member of the 25-member democratic camp who was out of town stood together in opposition of the package. "We will oppose it," Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat said. The legislators want to see a timetable for universal suffrage and do not want non-elected members of Hong Kong's district councils to serve on the electoral committee. "If they don't include these two major elements, I don't think we have room for discussion," Lee said. Since Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, China has been wary of allowing more democracy in the territory. Analysts say Chinese leaders fear losing control of the city and worry that calls for more voting rights could spread to the mainland. Ultimately, the form and pace of sensitive political reforms in Hong Kong are effectively determined by Beijing. Tsang, who took over when the unpopular Tung Chee-hwa resigned in March, must satisfy the Hong Kong public's desire for more democracy or risk losing his popular support, while not being too bold and upsetting Beijing. (Reuters)
Thousands march for democracy in Hong Kong (2006-07-01)China's Hu pledges support for HK democracy (2005-12-28)HK gov't unveils contentious election reform plan (2005-10-19)HK's Tsang sings in harmony with China's Hu (2005-10-12)Few surprises as HK's Tsang gives cautious address (2005-10-12)
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