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China to choose Hong Kong chief
October 28, 1996
Web posted at: 7:30 p.m. EST (0030 GMT)
From Correspondent Mike Chinoy
HONG KONG (CNN) -- It has all the trappings of a conventional election campaign, but the race to become Hong Kong's leader once China takes over next year has one unusual twist: the citizens of Hong Kong aren't being allowed to vote.
Instead, the choice of a new chief executive will be made by Beijing, through a 400-member committee of China-appointed Hong Kong notables. The chief executive will replace Hong Kong's current governor, Chris Patten, on July 1, 1997.
"... You have the illusion of a race, but this is going to be decided by people in Beijing," said John Frankenstein of Hong Kong University.
That hasn't stopped some of Hong Kong's most prominent figures from seeking the job. Among the leading contenders are billionaire shipping tycoon C.H. Tung, business executive Peter Woo, and two former judges, Simon Li and T.L. Yang. All are actively courting public support in their homeland in the hope of bolstering their standing with Beijing.
Local opinion polls indicate that the most pressing issue for Hong Kong citizens is how vigorously each candidate would defend Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom.
C.H. Tung and T.L. Yang, two of the possible choices for Hong Kong's new chief executive Beijing's choice will do much to set the tone for Hong Kong's transition from a British colony to a special administrative region of China.
China has said it plans to disband Hong Kong's elected legislature when it regains control of the colony, and many fear that China might seek to impose other restrictions after the handover.
So each candidate has sought to address this issue without damaging his relations with the mainland. "We shall say to China, ever so patiently and politely, that demonstrations in Hong Kong against anything you can think of are allowed," Yang said.
From Tung: "Do you achieve anything through confrontation? I think results are usually achieved through quiet discussion."
And, from Simon Li: "I don't need to apply a strong hand. Hong Kong is part of China. It is part of the flesh of China and China would not have any conflict, so it is not a problem for me."
At this point, shipping magnate Tung is widely seen as the front runner, despite the revelation that China bailed out his ailing company with a cash infusion of $120 million a decade ago.
But such details seem to not be the driving concern. Many observers appear to be questioning the nature of the entire selection process.
"I think this so-called race for chief executive is a charade, because the choice will be made by Beijing and Beijing alone," said Hong Kong legislator Emily Lau.
Others, though, note that Britain never bothered with Hong Kong's opinion before electing its own colonial governors here. In that sense, some argue that the current selection process is actually a step forward.
But there is no doubt that when a final decision is announced, probably in December, what matters is not public opinion in Hong Kong but the views of the Communist leadership in Beijing.
Related stories:
- Portuguese colony picks China-friendly government - September 23, 1996
- Hong Kong ceremony foreshadows end of an era - August 26, 1996
- Hong Kong: Fears, cheers about China's takeover - June 30, 1996
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- New York consulate of the People's Republic of China - news and educational information
- Honk Kong Government Information Centre
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