World News December 09, 2002
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