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HK democrats and tycoons slam one another

Hong Kong business leaders are warning pro-democracy politicians to stop pushing so hard for universal suffrage now that Beijing has ruled out direct elections of Hong Kong's leader in 2007 and all legislators in 2008.

But pro-democracy figures charged yesterday that Hong Kong's tycoons were kowtowing to Beijing and putting their own interests ahead of the common good. The activists are urging people to keep taking to the streets to clamor for full democracy.

Textile businessman Chan Wing-kee (陳永棋) said challenging Beijing's authority was foolish, and warned that protests could harm Hong Kong.

"I think challenging the central government is a very stupid thing," Chan said. "The pro-democracy camp wants Hong Kong people to take part in large protests again. This will deal a big blow to Hong Kong, either politically or economically speaking."

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in recent months to demand universal suffrage.

But Beijing ruled out any changes in the next few years, saying on Monday that full democracy poses too great a risk of social instability or economic problems in the former British colony.

"I hope people think hard before they act and don't act on their emotions," Chan said.

Hong Kong's unpopular chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa (董建華), was chosen by an 800-member committee packed with many of the territory's leading tycoons. Ordinary voters will directly elect 30 of 60 legislators in September, but the rest will be chosen by special interest groups, including businessmen and bankers.

Property and construction company boss Vincent Lo (羅康瑞) said Hong Kong had reached no consensus on the way forward.

"Honestly speaking, we in the business and industry sector will be more conservative," he said.

Both business leaders, Chan and Lo, already get to vote on Hong Kong's leader, as part of the committee that chose Tung in a one-man race.

Pro-democracy legislators charged that the tycoons -- many holding big investments in China's booming economy -- are more interested in profits than the community's welfare. Legislator Albert Chan (陳偉業) called them central government "lap dogs." Key protest organizer Richard Tsoi (蔡耀昌) also questioned the view that demonstrations could harm the economy, calling protest a "basic human right."

Tsoi helped organize last July's march by 500,000 people, which forced Tung to withdraw an anti-subversion bill.
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