*EPF305 06/23/2004
Text: Vibrant Hong Kong Democracy Would Be Asset for China, Leach Says
(Recent decisions by Beijing inconsistent with promised autonomy) (1190)

China should respect Hong Kong's autonomy and embrace democratization in the former British colony to increase its own political stability and economic prosperity, according to Representative James A. Leach, chairman of the House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

"The authorities in Beijing should realize that a vibrant, democratic and prosperous Hong Kong would be a tremendous asset to China," Leach (Republican of Iowa), said in opening remarks at a June 23 hearing on recent developments in Hong Kong.

The United States has an "enormous vested interest in the success of the 'one country, two systems' model in Hong Kong," Leach said. But recent developments have raised serious concerns about "Beijing's commitment to respect the 'high degree of autonomy' it has promised Hong Kong," he added.

Decisions by authorities in Beijing restricting constitutional development in Hong Kong appear inconsistent with promises of autonomy laid out in the 1982 Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Leach said. He also noted a "series of incidents ... that many perceive to be part of a campaign of intimidation against pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong," including a recent attack on the office of legislator Emily Lau.

Acknowledging that both sides have sought compromise and tried to restore dialogue, Leach expressed hope that such efforts would succeed.

"Whether the 21st Century is peaceful and whether it is prosperous will depend on whether the world's most populous country can live with itself and become open to the world in a fair and respectful manner," Leach concluded. "Hong Kong is central to that possibility."

Following is the text of Leach's statement:

(begin text)

Opening Statement
Representative James A. Leach
Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Hearing on Recent Developments in Hong Kong
June 23, 2004

On behalf of the Subcommittee, I would like to welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses to our hearing this afternoon on recent developments in Hong Kong. At the outset, I should explain that we are beginning the hearing slightly earlier than originally noticed because Secretary Powell is scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill later today to discuss the situation in Iraq and we wanted to be sure Members had the opportunity to be present for our expert testimony.

In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of Kim Sun-il for his heinous murder at the hands of brutal terrorists in Iraq yesterday. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and to the people of South Korea. While Americans may be divided on our Iraq policy, we are united in our deep appreciation for the support we have received there from friends and allies around the world, including South Korea.

As my colleagues are aware, this is the seventh year after Hong Kong's reversion to China. As the Department of State noted in an April 2004 report to Congress (as mandated by the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) remains an international city whose residents continue to enjoy protections of the rule of law and broad civil liberties.

As is also well understood, the U.S. maintains substantial economic and political interests in Hong Kong and promotes Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. Washington works closely with the authorities in Hong Kong on a wide range of international issues, not the least of which is cooperation in the global campaign against terrorism.

Like Beijing, the U.S. has an enormous vested interest in the success of the "one country, two systems" model in Hong Kong. In this context, I believe it would be unwise and counterproductive at this time for the U.S. to review Hong Kong's treatment under the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act, as has been suggested in some quarters.

Having said that, recent developments have raised serious concerns, in the former British colony as well as around the world, regarding Beijing's commitment to respect the "high degree of autonomy" it has promised Hong Kong.

From a Congressional perspective, it appears self-evident that advancing democratization and constitutional reform -- including universal suffrage -- would contribute to the city's political stability and economic prosperity. The authorities in Beijing should realize that a vibrant, democratic and prosperous Hong Kong would be a tremendous asset to China. Hong Kong will only become a threat if China makes it so.

Even though the Basic Law may not technically require fuller democracy by 2007-2008,
wisdom as well as respect for autonomy dictates the embrace of democracy for Hong Kong. Having just traveled to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which have held successful local and national elections, I see no reason why Hong Kong - with all its wealth and sophistication -- cannot do so also.

The people of Hong Kong made plain their aspirations for greater democratic autonomy, aspirations fully within the framework of the "one country, two systems" formula, when they so impressively demonstrated on July 1 last year. In the aftermath of those peaceful demonstrations, the Hong Kong government appeared to listen to the people and withdrew controversial national security legislation pending additional consultations with the populace of the city. The people of Hong Kong again showed their keen interest in participatory democracy when they turned out in record numbers for District Council elections last November.

Regrettably, however, recent decisions by Beijing setting limits on constitutional development in Hong Kong appear to be inconsistent with the "high degree of autonomy" promised by the central authorities in the 1982 Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.

Equally dismaying has been a series of incidents in Hong Kong -- from several political talk show hosts complaining of apparent threats against them, the appearance of a Chinese flotilla sailing through Victoria Harbor, to the recent attack on the office of legislator Emily Lau - that many perceive to be part of a campaign of intimidation against pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

I understand that in recent weeks tentative steps have been taken by all parties to restore dialogue, build confidence, and seek compromise. I earnestly hope these efforts succeed.

Whether the 21st Century is peaceful and whether it is prosperous will depend on whether the world's most populous country can live with itself and become open to the world in a fair and respectful manner. Hong Kong is central to that possibility. As such, it deserves our greatest attention, respect, and good will.

Hong Kong is important unto itself; it is also a model for others. What happens there is watched particularly closely by the Taiwanese. In a globalist world where peoples everywhere are seeking a sense of community to serve as a buttress against political and economic forces beyond the control of individuals and their families, it is next to impossible to reconcile political systems based on unlike institutions and attitudes. Mutual respect for differences is the key to peace and prosperity in a world in which history suggests conflict has been a generational norm.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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