The debate over Hong Kong democracy turned into a political showdown at the border yesterday, as China barred two opposition lawmakers from entering while admitting three others who tried but failed to meet with a top Chinese official.
The three pro-democracy lawmakers made it as far as the hotel where Qiao Xiaoyang (
China has routinely blacklisted many of the pro-democracy figures in its territory Hong Kong, and one lawmaker who made it across the border to China called the discussion with Li an encouraging development in the tense political standoff.
"We are disappointed we weren't able to meet with Qiao, but it's a breakthrough that we are at least able to have a meeting with officials in mainland China," Legislator Frederick Fung (
Qiao has been heavily involved with Beijing's recent decision to assert control over any electoral changes in Hong Kong and the opposition lawmakers wanted to tell him about the popular push for full democracy in the territory.
Many in Hong Kong fear that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will rule in the next few days that the territory will not be allowed to democratically choose its next leader in 2007.
Ordinary Hong Kong people now have no say in picking their leader, though they will directly elect 30 of 60 legislators in September. Most Hong Kongers want universal suffrage, but Beijing has recently said any reforms will require its advance approval, casting doubts on Hong Kong's prospects for full democracy.
TV footage showed Qiao inside the meeting, telling Li to go deal with the Hong Kong opposition figures.
"I don't have time -- I can't duplicate myself," Qiao said, adding that the pro-democracy viewpoint was already well known.
One of the lawmakers who was barred from China, Cyd Ho (
Hong Kong residents normally can enter China freely, but Beijing views pro-democracy politicians as troublemakers and has previously denied entry to some of them, including Ho.
"I am very sad the citizens are being divided into different classes in our country," Ho said in remarks carried on live television after she and colleague James To (
Yesterday's developments made for prime-time political drama in Hong Kong.
A throng of journalists followed the lawmakers on the train journey to the border, with television showing a map of the railroad line and footage of the politicians using tickets to pass through turnstiles.
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