Hong Kong critics say space pioneer is Beijing's pawn

China's first man in space has voiced support for Hong Kong's unpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華), and critics charged yesterday that the astronaut was being used as a political pawn by Beijing's massive propaganda machinery.

"Yang Liwei's (楊利偉) space achievement is something that we are proud of," said pro-democracy legislator and unionist Lee Cheuk-yan. "However, it's sad to see him being used like this."

Beijing has ramped up its support for Tung ever since a July 1 march by 500,000 people derailed his attempt to legislate a controversial anti-subversion bill, and the local government is worried its allies might be hurt in next year's legislative elections.

After Yang became China's first man in space in October, the astronaut came to Hong Kong for his first appearances in public, a favor that Beijing granted at Tung's request. Yang was well received, although the carefully staged trip was viewed by critics as an attempt to boost support for Tung's government, which has remained highly unpopular as Hong Kong's economy stagnated in recent years.

Yang sent an open letter Thurs-day that praised the strength of Hong Kong's people and added: "Through continuous hard work they can build a better Hong Kong under the leadership of Mr. Tung and his government."

But Lee said such blatant politicking failed to consider that people here can't be so easily swayed into forgetting their massive discontent with Tung.