Members of China's National People's Congress yesterday studied a brief draft interpretation of electoral reforms laid down in Hong Kong's mini-constitution as the territory's pro-democracy camp was warned against rocking the boat.
Beijing is hosting closed-door deliberations on revisions to Hong Kong's Basic Law that critics fear will hand China full control over whether and when people in the former British colony may elect their leaders.
The US State Department said on Friday it "strongly supported" the Hong Kong people's desire for democracy, electoral reform and universal suffrage.
Hong Kong, which was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, retorted that its constitutional development was China's internal affair and that the US government should respect that.
Later, the official Xinhua news agency quoted a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in Hong Kong as saying the US comments were "unacceptable."
Xinhua quoted the spokesman as saying that, since Hong Kong's return to China, Beijing had fully implemented its pledge to ensure that the city retained a high degree of autonomy.
Yesterday, top officials of the National People's Congress, joined by a handful of Hong Kong delegates, scrutinized a draft interpretation, or explanation, of two clauses in the Basic Law that set out how the territory's chief executive and lawmakers are chosen.
One delegate said the explanation might be amended yesterday. They would discuss a final version -- likely to be no more than a page in length and general in content -- today, and vote on it tomorrow.
Newspapers in Hong Kong also said that the final document would be limited to one page.
"The interpretations are fair, reasonable, in line with the law and consistent with the pace of constitutional development in Hong Kong," one delegate told Xinhua.
"They are absolutely correct as they go back to the very original intention of the Basic Law."
Critics say Beijing's review will stymie Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement before elections there in September, ensuring a more compliant legislature. They say that the move erodes the high degree of autonomy the territory was promised.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, a pro-government think tank, said on radio that the gap between Beijing and the pro-democracy camp was great and hoped for an end to opposition to the interpretation to avoid "unexpected" events.
"If things continue like this no one can guarantee something unexpected that is outside your control will not happen. For some people who politically have little to lose, some disorderly events might be to their advantage," said Yip Kwok-wah, a former close aide to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (
"I'm worried that this tension will increase when the revision comes out next week. And when will it stop?" Yip said.
"I very much hope Hong Kong people can calm down and trust that our delegates to China's parliament have Hong Kong's interests at heart," Yip said.
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