| In 1997, Hong Kong accepted a rotten deal, held its nose and feigned pleasure. This year the pretence intensifies as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) “celebrates” the end of its first decade under Chinese mainland sovereignty.
At a press conference not long ago, Raymond Young, the director of Hong Kong’s Celebrations Preparatory Office, explained that the local government will organise celebratory events in Hong Kong, on the Chinese mainland and overseas. He stressed two themes: “the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems” and “the Hong Kong Spirit”. Most official events, the ceremonies, exhibitions, conferences and cultural or sports activities, are slated for April to September. There’s even a special logo and a Website: www.gov.hk/10.
“We hope the celebration activities will show to people around the world Hong Kong’s vigor and vitality and how we have successfully maintained the territory as Asia’s world city and a leading trading and financial centre,” said Young. “We have achieved this through our own efforts and our close ties with the mainland. We hope that everyone will participate in the anniversary celebrations and that the support of all sectors in the community will add to the festive and joyous atmosphere.”
Swish, swish, whirr! Hear those noises? They're the sounds of countless shoeshine rags at work, plus the incessant spin of government propaganda. As Hong Kong’s “leaders” jabber about celebrations, let’s take a reality check.
The switch to Chinese from British sovereignty preceded an economic malaise and the aptly named SARS epidemic. Beijing officials routinely meddle in Hong Kong affairs, even thwarting the courts by “reinterpreting” the Basic Law. They also block universal suffrage, insisting that local elections must unfold as charades with the final results under their control. The People’s Liberation Army garrison stationed in Hong Kong serves as a seldom-seen, but none-too-subtle, threat.
Frustrating limitations prevail. Hong Kong lives in an invisible cage with the bars constantly adjusted and reinforced by Beijing. The only positive aspect is that things might have gone much worse. At least, the PLA has stayed in its barracks, the economy rebounded and Hong Kong people still enjoy substantial personal freedoms.
But never forget that the folks on Hong Kong’s streets lacked a democratic say before the reviled mainland flag first rose on July 1, 1997. In that sense, Beijing’s sovereignty lacks legitimacy. Phony celebrations only make matters worse.
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