From Oliver August in Beijing
HONG KONG is facing increasing pressure to publish its draft proposals
for a
new security law, which many fear will undermine political freedom and
business confidence in the former British territory.
International
finance chiefs, trade unionists, pro-democracy campaigners and
former members of the Hong Kong government are putting Tung Chee-hwa,
the
Chief Executive, on the spot. Mr Tung is seen as having failed to
persuade
the public that it has little to fear from provisions making it easier
to
silence opponents. Analysts have suggested that the best tactic for the
Hong
Kong government might be to move up the schedule for the drafting of the
law
expected to be voted on by the Beijing-controlled Legislative Council in
July.
Since Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, the government has been
required
under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution to outlaw subversion
and
other crimes, including the theft of state secrets. Officials recently
began
putting together the law, stirring concerns that even some financial
information or commentary could be deemed illegal, given the broad
definition of such crimes in mainland China.
Mr Tung may now be able to split the loose coalition that has formed in
opposition to the law if he publishes a draft that is acceptable to
reluctant critics, like Hong Kong’s international banks, who are more
concerned with the city’s reputation for free commerce than genuine
political freedom.
Bank chiefs held a meeting with government leaders last week during
which
they pressed for more consultation. Earlier, the British Chamber of
Commerce
said in a statement that Hong Kong could become less attractive to
international business if freedoms were not protected. Business leaders
were
joined by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.
A “consultative document” circulated by the government earlier this
year
raised fears that the proposed laws would severely restrict freedom of
expression and association, and that police would be given sweeping new
powers.
It revealed, among other things, that penalties for crimes against the
state
would be stiffened to include life imprisonment and that groups such as
Falun Gong, which remains legal in Hong Kong despite its illegal status
on
the mainland, could be banned.
Last week Anson Chan, the former head of the civil service who resigned
last
year after rumoured differences with Mr Tung, called for the publication
of
a white paper to dispel fears.
But many analysts believe that Mr Tung may not have the political sense
to
find a way out of the current situation. “The Hong Kong administration
is
acting more and more like an authoritarian regime,” Joseph Cheng,
Professor
of Political Science at the City University of Hong Kong, said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-507567,00.html
Posting date: 9/Dec/2002
Original article date: 9/Dec/2002
Category: Media Report
