As early as April 26, 1989, the Student Union of The Chinese University of Hong Kong started to raise funds in support of the Mainland's long term democratic development. The Management Committee of the Foundation for China's Democratic Movement was set up by the Student Union.
This is a committee under the Representative Council of the Student Union. It helps to assist the council to use the funds efficiently.
In face of the two years left before 1997, concern has been raised as to whether the funds should have to be exhausted before the changover.
Mr. Chan Ho, chairman of the Representative Council, said, "It is true that some members suggest the funds be used up before 1997.
"However, this is only a suggestion. No one adopts it. Even the school authorities did not declare that the fund must be used up," added Mr. Chan.
"The suggestion may come from the uncertain atmosphere about the future of Hong Kong," explained Mr. Chan.
The first chairman of the Management Committee of the Foundation for China's Democratic Movement, Mr. Chong Yiu Kwong, said, "Apart from the uncertainty, there are no other supporting reasons to exhaust the funds immediately.
"Legally, the account of this foundation is overt. It is a legitimate foundation. Its concern is how to use the funds efficiently and properly to help the democratic movement in China. When to use it up is not a concern.
"If the fund is forced to be used up before 1997, there would be great risk with regard to the use and the management of the fund - it may be critized by the public. It needs further consideration and discussion," said Mr. Chong.
Concerning whether the school authorities will interfere with its uses, Mr. Chong said it is one of its responsibilities to supervise and know every usage of all organizations and committees under the Student Union of the Chinese University.
"This is because the Student Union is not stipulated by laws. It is under the supervision of the school authorities. If the funds raised in school encounter problems, the school authority will shoulder the responsibility," explained Mr. Chong.
"Actually, the school authorities don't have tight control of the foundation and don't closely watch its activities. Too much interference will arouse discontent," said Mr. Chong.
After the June 4th Incident, it was reported that China's democratic movement was going underground to avoid direct conflict with the Chinese government.
But Mr. Chong said that it is not the case for them. "The constitution (of the foundation) is shown to all Chinese University students . Meanwhile, the names of the committee members are disclosed because they are under the Representative Council responsible for the Student Union. There are no secrets,"
However, Representative Council's Mr. Chan told a different story. "I don't know the name of the incumbent chairman of the this China's Democratic Movement foundation committee."
Vice-chairman of the external affairs of the Student Union, Mr. Tam Wai Pang, added that the committee members of the foundation did not want to have any interview and refused to disclose their identities.
According to Mr. Chan, the tenure of the committee member list has been lasting for several years and the committee has to hand over reports of its work to the Representative Council annually.
Yet, no reports were handed over by the committee in the past three years, said Mr. Tam.
Mr. Chong said, "The committee members come from the members of the Representative Council. There is no special nominating processes. It is open to those who want to participate. However, the committee members must be experienced in organizing student activities and affairs.
"Democratic movement is serious and not for fun. Though many students are concerned about the democratic movement of China and are deeply impressed by the June 4th Incident, only those who are believed to have the credibility can become members. This is related to the secrecy of the committee."
It is estimated that the amount of the funds reached its peak, $1 million, in 1989, according to Mr. Chong. The account is still open to contribution.
Said Mr. Chan: "In using the funds, there are two directions. One is to use them publicly, such as in occasions like exhibitions of the June 4th bloodbath and 1989 democratic movement. The other way is to be kept underground and secret. No examples can be quoted because it is highly confidential. It is related to the safety of the democratic leaders.
"Under such a sensitive political atmosphere in China and Hong Kong, the best way in dealing with these activities is to keep silent. The secrecy in using the funds is for the sake of the democratic movement," said Mr. Chong.