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HK legislators told they can travel to Guangdong soon

Hong Kong pro-democracy legislators yesterday welcomed a rare invitation from Beijing to visit China -- a move some observers said is an attempt by the Communist government to improve its standing in the former British colony.

Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) announced Tuesday that Beijing has agreed to let all 60 local lawmakers -- including some harsh critics of Beijing who are currently banned -- to visit Guangdong Province on Sept. 25 to 26.

Opposition legislator Lee Cheuk-yan (李卓人), who hasn't visited China in 16 years, said he believed Beijing was sincere because it didn't ask any of the lawmakers to change their views as a precondition.

"This reflects a more relaxed way of handling things," he said.

One major point of conflict has been Beijing's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in June 1989, in which at least hundreds were killed. Hong Kong's opposition has repeatedly denounced the crackdown, but Beijing has stood by its decision to send in troops.

Legislator Emily Lau (劉慧卿) also welcomed the invitation to Hong Kong lawmakers, but urged Beijing to allow pro-democracy figures from Hong Kong to travel in China freely. The pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po newspaper reported that the banned lawmakers would be issued single-entry travel permits for the upcoming trip.

The newspaper hailed the visit as a breakthrough, describing it as "a small step to Guangdong, a big step for communication."

But political scientist James Sung called it an olive branch aimed at delaying proposed democratic reforms in the territory.
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