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China tells US, UK to butt out

Pro-democracy protesters burn a copy of the Basic Law during a protest against China's decision on local political reforms outside the government house in Hong Kong on Monday. China's parliament dashed hopes in the territory for a speedy move to full democracy on Monday, saying residents in the former British colony will not be able to directly elect their leader and all lawmakers in 2007 and 2008. PHOTO: REUTERS

China has told the US and former colonial master Britain to mind their own business over its refusal to allow full democracy for Hong Kong any time soon.

"We are Chinese," Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (李肇星) told reporters in Shanghai yesterday after Washington and London criticized Beijing for blocking political reform.

"Are you clear on that? Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong."

Li added: "Do you think Hong Kong was democratic under British rule? Did the British raise concerns about that? Did the Americans raise concerns? No. Why don't you take a look at this double standard?"

China's most powerful legislative panel told Hong Kong citizens in a ruling on Monday that they cannot democratically choose a successor to unpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) in 2007.

Beijing also said Hong Kong will be allowed to directly elect only some, and not all, its lawmakers in 2008.

Many Hong Kongers, who want a fully democratic political system for the territory, have responded with a mix of defiance and resignation.

Student activists burned a copy of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Pro-democracy lawmakers chanted slogans and unfurled a banner before storming out of a meeting with a top mainland legislative official.

The Standard newspaper yesterday lamented "a sad day for China."

"Yesterday's ruling from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that there will be no democracy for Hong Kong was bad enough," The Standard wrote in an editorial. "The way it was delivered showed contempt for Hong Kong's people. Tragically, the ruling also mocks China's desire to be one of the world's trusted leading nations."

Critics say the decision violates China's agreement to grant Hong Kong a great deal of autonomy after the former British colony was handed back in July 1997.

Beijing said full democracy remains a goal for Hong Kong, but that a quick shift to universal suffrage poses too many risks of social and economic instability.

The US Department of State disagreed, saying international confidence in Hong Kong is based on its rule of law and a high degree of autonomy.

"We're disappointed by the decision, as we believe it doesn't adequately reflect the expressed wishes of the Hong Kong people for universal suffrage and democracy," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington.

British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said in London that Beijing had acted inconsistently with its handover promises.

Many Hong Kong residents had expected Beijing to clamp down, but they still were disappointed.

"Hong Kong doesn't want to fight with the central government," said Dolby Tong, a 32-year-old shipping salesman. "We just want to choose our own government which reflects citizens' voices."

Ordinary Hong Kongers now have no say in choosing their leader. They will get to pick 30 of the 60 legislators here in September, but they won't get to elect more than half any time soon, Beijing ruled. The rest are picked by special interest groups, such as businessmen and bankers, who tend to side with Beijing.
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