Editorial: `Two systems' has zero meaning

Rising tensions between Taiwan and China have put Hong Kong in a difficult position. Strained cross-strait relations have indirectly eroded press freedom in the SAR, and are now even threatening Hong Kong's laissez-faire economic stance. The cause: Chinese officials stationed in Hong Kong have twice sparked events that have seriously strained Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" policy.

First, Chinese officials requested that the press refrain from reporting on Taiwanese independence. Chinese officials later asked Hong Kong businesses to curtail their dealings with Taiwanese firms that support Taiwan independence. Hong Kong risks being rendered into little more than another part of China.

On April 8, HKTV interviewed Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮). During the interview, Lu said that Taiwan is a sovereign country and that Taiwan and China are "relatives" and "neighbors." Beijing's number two in the SAR, Wang Fengchao (王鳳超), denied that China was divided into two states, and advocated adding a clause to Hong Kong's "Basic Law" forbidding residents from advocating or discussing Taiwanese independence.

Most of the media in Hong Kong parroted China's unification line, which is hardly surprising as they often serve as the mouthpiece for Beijing's threats against Taiwan. Still, the Hong Kong media ran a fairly large number of stories on Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) election, due mainly to interest in Hong Kong. The local media also introduced a number of key personalities in the DPP, most of whom are not well-known in Hong Kong.

Last July, Cheng An-kuo (鄭安國), previously Taiwan's representative in Hong Kong, angered Beijing by criticizing the "one country, two systems" theory in an interview with an official Hong Kong radio station. A high-ranking Hong Kong government official was "exiled" to Japan as a result.

China is attempting to exert increasing control over the media in Hong Kong. Yet most people in there do not seem overly concerned. Another of Beijing's tactics has elicited a greater response from its residents.

Recently, Chinese officials stated that Hong Kong businessmen should stop doing business with known supporters of Taiwanese independence, otherwise they will "suffer the consequences." These remarks suggest that Beijing is prepared to intervene in Hong Kong's free trade. Hong Kong residents were not pleased.

China has blacklisted many business leaders in Taiwan for supporting Chen during the elections. Even A-mei (阿妹) was dragged into the dispute for singing the national anthem of the Republic of China during Chen's inaugural ceremony. Beijing's interference in press freedoms and free trade in Hong Kong will only have a negative effect on the "one country, two system," policy China continues to push for Taiwan. China's actions in Hong Kong in this respect go against its own interests.

But Beijing's interference in Hong Kong's affairs is merely the way it is used to dealing with issues, and a reflection of its considerable power over the SAR.

Hong Kong could begin to lose some of its commercial advantages now that China has been awarded permanent normal trading rights with the US, and the trend will continue after China joins the WTO. Once direct links are established between China and Taiwan, Hong Kong's competitiveness will come under even more pressure.