After 10 discouraging years under Chinese sovereignty, realistic people in Hong Kong recognize that the most important pledges made to them lie in tatters.
Before Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, the world heard Chinese leaders make reassuring promises: that Hong Kong people would rule Hong Kong; that Hong Kong would achieve universal suffrage and meaningful democratic reforms; and that Hong Kong would enjoy “a high degree of autonomy” in everything except foreign affairs and defence.
By now, many of Hong Kong’s seven million people know they were duped. What transpired? The mainland manipulates Hong Kong politics using hundreds of local collaborators as puppets. Folks at street level hold less political clout than under Chris Patten, the last British governor. Only 800 people, mainly the “puppets”, can vote for Hong Kong’s chief executive. National leaders erect barriers and refuse to allow worthwhile political changes. Unable to yield control, even in a single city, they insist on gripping Hong Kong by its throat.
As for the “high degree of autonomy”, consider the news on a typical day:
(Newspaper Report) June 6, 2007 – “Chief Executive Donald Tsang is expected to get a response from central government leaders to his list of recommended candidates who will make up the next Hong Kong administration when they meet behind closed doors in Beijing today.”
(RTHK Radio) June 6, 2007 – “The chairman of the National People’s Congress, Wu Bang-guo, has insisted that there are limits to Hong Kong’s powers. Speaking at a seminar in Beijing on the Basic Law, Mr Wu noted that Hong Kong would get no more authority than Beijing grants it.”
Despite Beijing’s promises, Hong Kong practises “a high degree of no-autonomy”. Realizing that the central government made false pledges, it’s natural to regard its sovereignty as bogus. Hong Kong badly needs a courageous independence movement.
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A menacing object flaps over Hong Kong.
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