China's National People's Congress (NPC) yesterday dashed the hopes of Hong Kong people to directly elect their leaders in polls in 2007 and 2008, reinforcing Beijing's full control over democratic progress in the territory.
The decision came after China's top members of parliament voted on political reforms for the territory, where calls have mounted for more voting rights because of growing frustration with the China-backed administration.
"There will be no universal suffrage for electing the third chief executive in 2007," Tsang Hin-chi (
"There will be no universal suffrage for all legislators," he said, referring to elections due in 2008.
His comments were carried live on Hong Kong's Cable Television.
The move is part of a campaign by Beijing since the start of the year to contain Hong Kong's democratic aspirations that it fears could produce leaders who will challenge its control.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (
"Some people are worried about the ... decision. I hope they'll be rational and calm, and let's work hard together to seek a consensus on constitutional reforms," he said.
Democracy advocates accused Beijing of reneging on a promise of a high degree of autonomy under a "one country, two systems" formula that it made Hong Kong when it took the territory back from Britain in 1997.
"This has killed the `one country, two systems' principle and our high degree of autonomy. We have to tell the world that we don't accept Beijing running Hong Kong," said Lee Cheuk-yan (李卓人), a prominent pro-democracy lawmaker and workers rights champion.
Others called on voters to back the democracy camp in legislative elections in September, when Beijing fears opposition politicians could win a majority.
The People's Daily, mouthpiece of China's Communist Party, said in a commentary that the decision by parliament would be "conducive to cooling recent disputes over the issue of the development of Hong Kong society's political system."
"On the issue of the development of Hong Kong's political system, any action deviating from the tracks of the Basic Law will not be allowed," the commentary said.
"Its fundamental objective is to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability as well as the overall rights and good fortune of Hong Kong residents," the paper said.
Half of Hong Kong's Legislative Council is chosen via direct election, while the other half is selected by largely pro-Beijing professional and business groups.
"If Hong Kong people do not accept such high-handedness, they must stand up and express their anger on July 1," said pro-democracy lawmaker Albert Chan (陳偉業), referring to an anti-Beijing protest on that date last year attended by half a million people.
Beijing worries democratic reform in Hong Kong could stir democratic dreams elsewhere in China.
Alarmed by residents' demands to elect their leaders as soon as 2007, as is possible under the city's constitution, Beijing revised that framework this month to require the territory to obtain Beijing's approval before it can even initiate any electoral reforms.
By calling the shots now, Beijing wants to remove the issue of political change from the agenda of opposition politicians in the September elections.
Political analysts said this will only fuel the controversy.
"I don't think the row will stop. Most people want popular direct elections in '07 and '08. After the NPC ruling, there will be dissatisfaction and opposition, and the local government will continue to be under pressure," said Cheung Chor-yung (
The NPC also voted to let changes be made in time for the two elections in 2007 and 2008, but stressed that any amendments must follow the principle of "gradual and orderly progress" as laid down in the constitution.
Yeung Sum (
"We'll never give up our fight for universal suffrage ... I'm worried the ruling will impact on investor views of the 'one country, two systems' blueprint ... The move will extend the Hong Kong government's governance crisis," Yeung said.
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