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Hong Kong is discredited

China's denial of universal suffrage in electing Hong Kong's chief executive in 2007 and legislature in 2008 raises serious problems of credibility in its "one country, two systems" principle.

Under this scheme, affluent and educated Hong Kong residents are expected to rely only on Beijing's goodwill to protect their rights and freedoms. But they lack such customary institutional safeguards as a popularly elected executive, a legislature elected by universal franchise, an independent judiciary with powers of review or a federal framework including separation of powers.

Evidence from the last seven years shows that when the communist leadership feels insecure or indecisive, Hong Kong's democratization is sacrificed.

Beijing's track record discredits its attempt to incorporate other free and democratic societies, such as Taiwan.

Vincent Wang
Richmond, Virginia

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