February 1998

From the Editor

More tolerance for diverse opinions

One year after the selection of the chief executive and the Provisional Legislative Council, the Chinese government held another selection in December 1997. This time, however, the voting game was for the new Hong Kong delegation to the National People’s Congress. As in the election of members to the PLC, the majority of the public was shut out of the voting booth.. Also, the outcome failed to reflect opinions of the public. A lot of the delegates selected to the NPC were from parties that were less preferred by the electorate in the 1995 Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong. Not one democrat got enough support for a nomination, let alone a seat on the NPC. It seemed rather like they had been shunned from the selection process. Although this was not unexpected, the selective admission has undoubtedly hindered the selection process’ accountability.

The selection to the NPC of Mr. Jiang Enzhu, director of Xinhua News Agency and the deputy who received the most votes, has aroused much suspicion and controversy. The controversy stems in part from the two hats Mr. Jiang wears in Hong Kong. Is he an “ambassador” from Beijing to Hong Kong — or is he a representative from Hong Kong to Beijing, someone ready and willing to speak for the Hong Kong people? On the one hand, Xinhua officials have been considered collectively as the official voice of the Chinese government. On the other hand, NPC delegates from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are supposed to mirror the opinions on behalf of citizens of the SAR.. When there are disputes between the Chinese federal government and the Hong Kong SAR government, on which side should, or would, Mr. Jiang stand? How can Hong Kong people know and rest assured that their voice will win be heard in future Congress meetings?

If the slogan “one country, two systems” is to prevail rather be a mere motto, future NPC deputies should be elected in a more open way. Not only should the election grant access to people with diverse views, but it should also allow more people to participate in the voting.

— Ellen Chan, Managing Editor

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