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Australia's Senate Passes Resolution Opposing Article 23, Chinese Embassy's Attempts to Interfere Fail
(Clearwisdom.net August 25, 2003)
On August 21, the Australian Senate passed a resolution opposing Hong Kong's
proposed Article 23 legislation. Because of the Chinese Embassy's active effort
to stop these senators from passing the resolution during the discussion period,
the final passing of this resolution caused a stir in Australia's mainstream
society and Chinese community. One of the senators expressed that she is glad
that Australia has joined governments around the world in showing concern over
Article 23.
This Is the First Time that Australia Has Issued a Formal Resolution about
Article 23
After two days of discussion, on the afternoon of August 21st, the
Australian senate passed a resolution opposing Article 23. This is the first
time the Australian government has issued a formal resolution about Article 23.
The main contents of the resolution are as follows:
1. Expressing concern that the Hong Kong National Security (Legislative
Provisions) Bill can violate the people of Hong Kong's freedom and rights.
2. Urging the Chinese government to follow the agreement with Britain that it
signed in 1984, which stated that the people of Hong Kong would have unchanged
rights and freedoms for 50 years beginning on July 1st, 1997.
3. Reiterating that the Australian government supports the above agreement.
4. Welcoming the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government's
improvements on Article 23 issued on June 3, and July 5, 2003, but stating that
further improvements and clarifications are needed, so that the public will be
clear on how related legislations would be applied once they are implemented.
5. Hoping that the Hong Kong Legislative Council and government keep the
promises made by the People's Republic of China about its policy and its
implications.
6. With regard to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government's
decision on delaying the implementation of this legislation in order to survey
more people's opinions, the Australian government is urging Hong Kong's
government not use this legislation to decrease individual citizens' rights and
freedoms, because these rights and freedoms are the basic foundation of the
democratic process.
This resolution was sponsored by several Senators, including the Public
Speaker of the Australian Democrats, Senator Natasha S. Despoja, in order to
express concern over the possible harm Article 23 could cause to the people of
Hong Kong's human rights and freedom. Before this resolution, the Secretary for
the Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern that Article 23 may violate
citizens' freedoms. This was said in a statement about the Hong Kong National
Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill last month.
Chinese Embassy Writes Letters to Try to Stop the Resolution
Before the resolution passed, the Chinese Embassy wrote letters to the
senators in order to try to stop it from being passed. A letter signed by
Ambassador Feng Tie to Senator Despoja dated on August 20 said that the Chinese
government feels that the people of Hong Kong are enjoying even more democracy
and freedom than before. He claimed that all compatriots who love Hong Kong and
China will support the Special Administrative Region's Government's
implementation of this legislation, which has been led by Tung Chee-hwa (Chief
Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). The letter also
mentioned that the discussion of this legislation is China's internal affair,
and hopes that Australia denies the resolution in order to secure the
development of China-Australia relations. The letter also mentioned that the
Chinese government has higher expectations from Australia than other countries.
When passing this letter on to the Chinese media, Senator Despoja said that
all of the senators received this letter.
Glad to Join Governments around the World
The Australian Democrats issued a statement through the media when the
resolution was passed, showing their concern, "There were more than half a
million Hong Kong citizens from all walks of life who joined in the July 1st
Opposing Article 23 Grand Parade. Hence, Australia is worried that this
legislation will be used to suppress or threaten freedoms, including freedom of
speech, freedom of religion, or freedom of press." The statement also
pointed out that Australia noticed that this legislation may break China's
promise of a "one country, two systems" policy, which is the key to
enabling the Hong Kong people to have freedom 50 years after sovereignty went
back to Mainland China in 1997.
"The United States, Europe, Canada and New Zealand have all raised their
concerns about this legislation," Despoja said, "I am very glad that
the Australian Senate could join these governments from all over the world and
express our attitude."
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