Tsang Shadowboxes with Hong Kong Political Reforms

Chants of “All Wrong”, and a Facebook site of the same name, ridicule HK Chief Executive Donald Tsang’s electoral plans.
Tsang Shadowboxes with Hong Kong Political Reforms
6/13/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015

<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/72274606.jpg" alt="Commercial Bank of China chairman Jiang Jianqing (L), Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Ronald Arculli, Chairman HK Exchange and Clearing, toast at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, 27 October 2006. (Mike Clarke/AFP/Getty Images)" title="Commercial Bank of China chairman Jiang Jianqing (L), Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Ronald Arculli, Chairman HK Exchange and Clearing, toast at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, 27 October 2006. (Mike Clarke/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1818699"/></a>
Commercial Bank of China chairman Jiang Jianqing (L), Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Ronald Arculli, Chairman HK Exchange and Clearing, toast at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, 27 October 2006. (Mike Clarke/AFP/Getty Images)
The proposed electoral reform is pushing the boundaries of democracy to the limit in Hong Kong and proving to be a self-inflicted challenge for Chief Executive Donald Tsang.

On Monday, June 7, hundreds of pro-democracy protesters gathered to oppose Tsang’s publicity attempt, as he tried to rally supporters to back his reform package by making appearances in Quarry Bay and Shau Kei Wan.

As Tsang struggled to spread his “Act Now” message – the official motto for the reform campaign – protesters drowned out his speech by chanting “All Wrong” (direct translation: Ultra Mistake) instead.


The changes proposed for the 2012 elections have met with vehement criticism from pan-democratic groups and the public. Almost 10,000 people have joined the popular social network platform Facebook group calling the site “All Wrong”, which ridicules the reforms.

The opposition groups say the reform package is merely an overhaul of the undemocratic proposals put forward in 2005.

The 2005 package was defeated in the legislature after pan-democrats blocked the bill through their majority vote because they dominated more than one third of the seats (23 of 60). In December 2005, more than 250,000 people took to the streets in a massive public protest march.

Tsang claims the latest reforms aim to bring greater democracy to Hong Kong. However, he notably fails to address the crucial issue of universal suffrage, which includes the ability to directly elect the Chief Executive (the equivalent to Prime Minister, under Hong Kong’s system) by the populace.

The latest proposals preserve the elite committee members, who are permitted to choose the Chief Executive. This exclusive group mainly consists of prominent business tycoons and pro-Beijing supporters, and if the suggested changes are accepted, will be increased from 800 “voters” to 1,200.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) – which operates like a Hong Kong Parliament – remains a largely “toothless” body, with half its seats dominated by elitist functional constituencies comprising of bankers, property tycoons, and other so-called trade-based groups.

The government wants to add ten seats, enlarging the LegCo from 60 to 70 lawmakers, but preserving the 50/50 balance. In other words, only half the seats are to be elected through a system of universal adult suffrage.

Since the 1997 handover from British rule to China, according to the Basic Law, Hong Kong has been endeavouring to directly elect its leader and its own Legislature. The latest reform deal omits both critical aspects. In summary, unrestrained elections and an independent government body will enable a legitimate transition to democracy, rather than a watered down version defined by Beijing.

“The impression [is] that the central government wants to keep interest group seats and launch fake universal suffrage,” said Ming Sing, a politics expert at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, reports Canada Press.

Tsang insists that the next administration’s ‘elected’ Chief Executive must cooperate with the communist central government in Beijing, regardless of who the voters are.

For years, Hong Kong activists have argued that the wealthy and educated hub of 7 million citizens is ready to elect its political leaders, but the Chinese government has resisted.

Democratic Party vice chairperson Emily Lau has voiced her concern. She claims that if the current government’s decision goes ahead with the supposed reforms without any amendments, it will be a blatant sign that they are disregarding the best interest of the people of Hong Kong.

Li Zi, a senior journalist and commentator on Chinese affairs provides a lucid explanation about the political context. “The mere appearance of Tsang in the community only verifies that he has to appease Beijing. The unexpected visits only aggravate the public. He is putting himself in the spotlight but it only enhances his lack of substance.”

Li has had vast experience with officials in Mainland China and is accustomed to the protocols they have to follow. “One’s behavior and speech is dictated by the Communist Party line which is paramount even at the cost of appearing nonsensical. Tsang’s recent road show has caused a furor in the community, not only because of his vacuous reform package but also because his demeanour is such a contrast to the reputable and professional nature of Hong Kong authorities before 1997.”

He also commended the slogan “All Wrong” created by the general public. He said it was most fitting because this will seal the fate of any LegCo members who may contemplate voting for the political reform.

Any further publicity campaigns promoting political reform by Tsang will only exacerbate the situation further, said Li. The citizens of Hong Kong are frustrated by their civil liberties being chipped away by the authorities.

Moreover, the quality of life is evidence of the down-graded life style of the Hong Kong people who have high unemployment and mediocre minimum wages. “The burden of Beijing-style management is directly depleting the integrity and nature of Hong Kong’s values and successes,” Li said.