World Journal: Impact on the Future of Hong Kong (Excerpt)

(Clearwisdom.net) World Journal [one of the largest Chinese language newspapers in North America] published an article on January 6, 2003 in which it discussed the impact of Article 23 legislation on the future of Hong Kong.

If Article 23 has been legislated by the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on one hand, it will deprive Hong Kong citizens of their freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law; on the other hand, it will ruin the future of Hong Kong.

The success of Hong Kong came from the fundamental system established by the British and the chance given by the closed-door policy under the Chinese Communist Party's rule. Since the Chinese communist government put into effect the reforming and open door policy, Hong Kong's superiority has been gradually disappearing. This makes it especially important to keep Hong Kong's original systems, especially that of freedom and legality. However, Tung Chee-hwa is tightening up control to damage these systems in order to make Hong Kong a city of mainland China as soon as possible. Then, why should foreign enterprises come to Hong Kong instead of Shanghai, Beijing or other cities, where they could take the advantage of lower costs?

Since several years ago, the question of "when Shanghai will catch up with Hong Kong, especially to take the place of Hong Kong as a financial center" has been a nightmare for the people of Hong Kong.

For the time being, Hong Kong still occupies a dominant position with these advantages: first, free foreign currency exchange; second, free information flow; third, complete and independent legal system. The first can be reached by Shanghai within several years. As far as the second and the third are concerned, if Hong Kong closes up like Shanghai, could Hong Kong still lay golden eggs? No, and furthermore, Hong Kong will need a blood transfusion from Mainland China! Not long ago, the premier Zhu Rongji came to Hong Kong and claimed before people of all walks of life that all of China's foreign exchange reserve could be used to support Hong Kong. The problem is if China will still want such a "spendthrift" when Hong Kong has really degenerated to such an extent.

In order to legislate Article 23, the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region forced Chambers of Commerce to support it. Businessmen, especially those from foreign enterprises, supported it against their conscience in the fear that they may be retaliated against if they didn't support it. However, a legislator Li Guobao, representing the circles of banking, recently came up and, driven beyond forbearance, said that a group of foreign enterprises will withdraw from Hong Kong if such an article is to be legislated. The circles of banking must collect various information and facts to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of their investment. If this is to be called "theft of state secrets", how dare they make their investment?

The present situation of Hong Kong's politics, economy and media may be enough for people to draw their conclusion on Hong Kong's future. Is Hong Kong still "the pearl of the orient" or has it become "the capital of police"? The answer directly impacts six million and two hundred thousand Hong Kong people's families and lives.

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