Editorials
Thursday, December 12, 1996
Hong Kong’s governor
under Chinese rule
WHEN China takes control of Hong Kong from Britain next July, a Hong Kong resident will replace the current British governor, Chris Patten. His identity is now known, as he has just been selected by an elite 400-member electoral body whose members were chosen by Beijing. He is Tung Chee-hwa, a shipping tycoon who is expected to pose no problems for the Communist Chinese leadership.
Tung had been regarded as China's favorite for the post since he was singled out for a handshake by Chinese President Jiang Zemin last January. His family's shipping business was bailed out by Beijing a decade ago although the family fled to Hong Kong when the Communists took over China in 1949. Tung polled 80 percent of the votes cast by the panel, many of whom are expected to seek influential positions in his administration.
Protestors denounced the process as a travesty and set fire to a replica of a traditional Chinese tomb, symbolizing the death of democracy.
In addition to orchestrating the selection of a compliant governor, China has announced that it will replace the current elected Hong Kong legislative council with an appointed body when it takes over. Under Patten's leadership, the number of elected positions on the council has been increased, but China has refused to recognize those reforms.
Tung will undoubtedly follow the Beijing line on this and other issues as China tightens its grip. Despite Beijing's pledge in the 1984 agreement with London to retain Hong Kong's political and economic framework for 50 years after the turnover, indications are that the political rights now enjoyed by Hong Kong's people will be curtailed under Chinese rule.
Like much of the business community, Tung Chee-hwa is prepared to comply with Beijing's wishes as long as the Communists do not interfere with his operations.
They would be foolish to do that, but they aren't likely to brook any political opposition.
The preposterous claim by China's defense minister in Washington that no one was killed at the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on demonstrators shows that the current leadership in Beijing has no qualms about denying reality. That is an ominous sign for the people of Hong Kong.
Prison supervision
THE American Civil Liberties Union's decision to ask the federal court to end its supervision of two Hawaii prisons after a decade is unmistakable evidence of progress in improving conditions in those prisons over that period. But it should not be taken to mean that all problems have been solved.
Progress in Kapolei
THE city and state are in lock step in their plans to develop a true "second city" on Oahu. In concert with the Campbell Estate, which originated the idea of the Ewa plain community of Kapolei, with a harbor and industrial core, the government is moving ahead to build offices, schools and other facilities in the area, ensuring Kapolei's continued growth and reducing the need for residents to commute to work in town.
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Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor