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Tung's consultation promise right move
Updated: 2004-01-08 07:26
The Policy Address Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa delivered
yesterday did not provide a timetable for constitutional review, contrary to
what some people had expected.
Nor did it take a stance over the proposal
of the "democratic"camp to implement universal suffrage for the elections of the
chief executive and the Legislative Council. Such omissions would definitely
meet with an outcry from certain sectors.
Yet, if one gives the issue
more thought, one would come to realize that Tung's promise of broad
consultation with specific directions and methods is even more important than
providing a timetable. It indicates that the government is committed to
launching an open consultation unlike others who believe they have a monopoly on
democracy.
In fact, Tung showed a very profound understanding of
constitutional review. He pointed out that the exercise must not be rushed since
it concerns Hong Kong's political structure, and "would affect the
implementation of the Basic Law, the relationship between the central
government, the interests of various strata and sectors of the community, and
the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."It should not be determined
by the wishful thinking of the SAR government or some political parties.
Instead, it ought to be done through sufficient consultation and
highly-democratic processes until a consensus is reached.
This consensus
has to arise from a common understanding by various political and commercial
sectors, different strata of society as well as the central government. Judging
from the present situation, such a consensus has apparently not formed. For
instance, there are dissenting opinions on whether the meaning of "subsequent to
the year 2007"in the Basic Law includes the third term of the chief executive,
and on the respective roles of the central government and the SAR government in
the launch and implementation of constitutional review. Under such
circumstances, there are insufficient grounds to put forward a timetable, not to
say a reform proposal.
Nevertheless, the "democratic"camp has demanded
that the chief executive be elected through universal suffrage in 2007, and all
legislators by direct election in 2008.
The "democrats"have not consulted
widely in the SAR nor asked Beijing for its opinions before putting forward that
proposal. This is nothing but monopolization of democracy.
If they are
allowed to get their way, Hong Kong's constitutional review will become a
nightmare for democracy and the rule of law.
Fortunately, the chief
executive has not succumbed to the "democratic"camp's cockiness. He stressed the
importance of giving play to democracy on this matter of cardinal principle, and
the necessity for the government to have a clear understanding of major issues
concerned in order to make suitable arrangements for constitutional
review.
To gauge the opinions of the broadest spectrum of society, the
SAR government has formed a task force to communicate with different sectors of
the community and central government departments concerned on this matter.
Such a liberal and prudent attitude is the right way to handle the issue
of constitutional review.
(China Daily )
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