China & HK News
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Date : 26th June, 90
Sender : Society of HKU Postgraduates on Chinese Affairs
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Student Union Office
University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
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Taipei to lift China press ban
HK stock surge
Fang heads for UK after Beijing release
What the Hongkong Standard says (Comments on Fang's case)
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Taipei to lift China press ban
==============================
Taipei: Taiwan approved yesterday a measure that would allow mainland Chinese
reporters and editors to visit the nationlist island from next month.
There is a proviso, however: they would have to renounce membership of the
Chinese Communist Party, a government spokesman said here.
The new measure, approved by a cabinet-level task force on mainland affairs,
would also allow mainland Chinese athletes, entertainers and academics to visit
Taiwan for two months annually, said Shaw Yu-ming, director-general of the
Government Information Office.
Mainland students and scholars abroad as well as exiled pro-democracy activists
can also visit, the spokesman said.
Their stays could be extended to a maximum of six months if necessary, Mr Shaw
said. The measure goes into effect in July.
Previously, mainland Chinese civilians were allowed to travel to Taiwan only
to see gravely ill relatives or attend funerals of family members.
Taipei and Beijing have been technically at war since 1949, when the
Nationalists fled to Taiwan.
Tension between the two rivals has eased since November 1987, when Taipei began
allowing civilians to visit relatives on the mainland, but civil servants,
servicemen and policemen were excluded. Sightseeing trips are also barred
though thousands have defied the ban.
The task force also approved a measure allowing local civil servants to visit
gravely ill relatives or attend funerals of family members on the mainland, the
spokesman said.
Cabinet minister and vice-ministers, servicemen, intelligence personnel and
policemen were excluded from the new measure.
-AFP
HK stock surge
==============
The departure from China of leading dissident Fang Lizhi and his wife Li
Shuxian underpinned a late buying spree on the Hongkong stock market, pushing
the Hang Seng index up by 26 points to close at 3,276.44.
Turnover was heavy at $2.34 billion, up from Friday's $2.21 billion.
The index was barely up by about four points with only 30 minutes left in
trading yesterday. Then the news of Prof. Fang's departure spread, fuelling
buying orders from investors.
Paul Mackenzie of Sun Hung Kai Securities said Prof Fang's departure was a
friendly gesture.
A local broker said European interest would be even stronger today.
ChinTung's Raymond Lai expected the index to test higher ground.
Fang heads for UK after Beijing release
=======================================
By Staff Reporters
Chinese dissident astrophysicist Fang Lizhi and his wife, Li Shuxian, yesterday
left China for Britain, more than a year after they took refuge in the US
embassy in Beijing.
The move came after Beijing announced it was giving the couple what the Xinhua
news agency called "lenient treatment".
The British Foreign Office said the couple are scheduled to arrive in Britain
early today (Hongkong time) and remain in the country for an initial period of
six months. This period could be extended.
A Foreign Office spokesman said the couple were "welcome in this country" and
the British government was "pleased that a positive solution has been found to
this long standing problem".
In Washington, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater applauded the Chinese
government's decision to allow the couple to leave.
"The United States government welcomes the People's Republic of China's
decision to facilitate the departure of Prof Fang and his wife," he said.
He confirmed that Prof Fang signed a statement and said it paralleled many of
his public statements in the past.
Mr Fitzwater said the US ambassador to China, James Lilley, and Chinese
officials had been working on the departure of Prof Fang and on his statement
since at least January.
In Hongkong, the Hongkong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic
Movement in China welcomed the release but urged Beijiing to free the other
jailed pro-democracy activists.
The British Foreign Office spokesman said Prof Fang had been invited to Britain
by the Royal Society and added: "We are confident that he will soon find an
academic position appropriate to his talent in an atmosphere where he can carry
out his research."
It is believed Prof Fang will teach at Oxford or Cambridge.
Xinhua, quoting a spokesman from the Ministry of Public Security, said the
couple had been authorised to leave China for "medical treatment" but it did
not say where they had gone.
Prof Fang, 53, and his wife fled to the US embassy in Beijing shortly after the
military crackdown on June 3-4 last year that crushed the seven-week democracy
movement.
Both were wanted by the Chinese authorities on charges of inciting
"counter-revolutionary" activities during the student-led movement.
Xinhua said the couple had been granted "lenient treatment" after writing a
self-criticism in a letter to the Minsitry of Public Security.
"They expressed the hope to get permission to go abroad for medical treatment
as they are ill," the news agency said without specifying their ailment.
China was letting them go, it said, "out of humanitarian considerations" and
because of its "policy of leniency" towards those who took part in the
democracy movement.
It said the two admitted they opposed the Four Cardinal Principles - of
adherence to socialism, to people's democratic dictatorship, to communist
leadership and to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zeodng thoughts - and that they
"violated the country's constitution".
They also promised that "they will not engage in activities directed against
China after they leave the country", it said.
Professor Xu Liangying, a close friend of Prof Fang and his colleague at the
Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Hongkong Standard the couple's younger
son, Fang Zhe, did not leave Beijing with his parents.
"As far as I know, Fang Zhe has stayed in Beijing and he will work in an
enterprise in the capital," he said.
Prof Xu sid Fang Zhe had just graduated from the Physics Department of the
Beijing Normal University.
Prof Fang's other son, Fang Ke, a student at Wayne State University in
Detroit, US, said he was elated by the news.
"I am happy there is a real possibility for me in the near future to see them,"
he said. He said he will join his parents in London as soon as possible.
However, he had not yet been contacted by his parents and added: "I don't know
when they will arrive in London. I'm waiting for their call."
He believes the relase of his parents is "not a decision made by the Chinese
government alone".
"It is a result of both the international and domestic (political)
situations," he said.
Shortly after Prof Fang's release, Chinese Premier Li Peng told Hans Stercken,
president of the West German parliament's foreign affairs commission who is on
a visit to Beijing, that China had made and is making efforts to improve
relations with Western countries.
Mr Li added that Beijing hopes that all farsighted politicians in the West use
their wisdom and show their courage to work for improved relations.
The hardline premier said that, as the political and economic situation in
China becomes stabilised, Beijing will take a more lenient policy towards those
involved in last year's pro-democracy movement but added that this was not the
outcome of Western pressure but rather an expression of the stable situation in
China.
"This humanitarian action is a farsighted significant step that will improve
the atmosphere for progress in our bilateral relations," he said.
Mr Fitzwater said the couple were flown out of Beijing on a US transport jet
based in Yokota, Japan.
He said Prof Fang had accepted a job teaching at Cambridge University in
Britain where he will "pursue his important research in astrophysics".
Mr Fitzwater said President Bush was told of the release by National Security
adviser Brent Scowcroft.
Prof Fang's release remove a major thorn in US-China relations which have
deteriorated since the June 4 crackdown.
The British Foreign Office said Prof Fang could be in poor health and medical
treatemnt will be made available for him in Britain if necessary.
"We understand that Dr Fang's health was a consideration in the Chinese
decision to allow him to leave," the spokesman said.
Xinhua also confirmed the release in Guangzhou of non-conformist painter Wang
Du, also known as Wang Xuezhi, saying he was allowed to go abroad for a "family
reunion with his French wife", journalist Agnes Gaudu.
Mr Wang, who spoke during a pro-democracy rally in Guangzhou in spring 1989,
spent nine months in detention.
It said the decision not to prosecute him had been made by Guangzhou
authorities due to "his confession of crime and his readiness to plead guilty".
What the Hongkong Standard says (Comments on Fang's case)
===============================
The decision to allow dissident Fang Lizhi and his wife to leave the US Embassy
in Beijing for "a third country" - namely Britain - can be seen as Beijing's
most conciliatory gesture so far to the US and the West in the hop[e that
economic sanctions will be lifted.
That Britain has played a role in helping to resolve the year-long saga is a
good sign for Hongkong for it shows that London and Beijing are back on the
road of co-operation.
Indeed, some indication of the territory's reaction to the news of Professor
Fang's "release" was shown by the stock market which rose sharply. Good news
is always welcome in a place which for a year has been beset by a lack of
confidence.
Domestically, the move was probably designed to minimise the possible time-bomb
effects of the military crackdown on the June 4 pro-democracy demonstrations.
For as long as Professor Fang and his wife remained locked up the US Embassy,
they served as reminders to the Chinese people of the Tiananmen crackdown and
posed a potential threat to the authorities.
The earlier case of pop-singer Hou Dejian, smuggled to Taiwan, was yet another
indication that Beijing now prefers to expel those who could cause trouble.
Sending the Fangs into exile would appear to be the best soultion for all
parties involved. And Beijing's announcement was timed to achieve maximum
political results.
The Group-7, or seven major Western industrialised nations, are due to hold
their annual summit soon and the question of economic sanctions against China
will surely be on the agenda.
While China has vowed it would never yield to any foreign pressure, Beijing
leaders, on different occasions, have repeated their hope that the West would
resume loans quickly.
Meanwhile, the US Congress is currently debating President Bush's decision to
extend China's most favoured-nation trading status for another year. The
release of the couple will add more weight to the President's cause, since some
congressmen have cited the Fang case, as well as other human rights violations
in China, as the major reason for their opposition to MFN status. The
technical arrangements for the release also appared to make every one happy.
Such an ending to the affair is no doubt a result of "under-the-table" deals
between Beijing and washington.
The reported illness of Professor Fang, whether true or not, gave the Chinese
authorities a legitimate reason for granting him "lenient treatment".
The signs may now indicate that Beijing still hopes to modernise its economy
through the open-door policy which in turn may provide a hint that the more
reform-minded wing of the top leadership has become dominant.
While the settlement of the Fangs' case rightly deserves to be welcomed, the
Beijing leadership has yet to create a political environment that would be more
conductive to achieving the goal of a modern economy.
kwc...@csd.hku.hk
Date : 27/26th June, 90
Sender : Society of HKU Postgraduates on Chinese Affairs
Postgraduate Students' Box
Student Union Office
University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong
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Jun. 27
Beijing frees Zhao's adviser (SCMP)
Fang free to speak, says UK
Subdued reaction by British groups
Jun. 26
Dissident pair troubled by heart problems [back issue] (HK Standard)
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[Short news:
1. Premier Li Peng said today Yang Shangkun had an emergent appendicitis the day
before and Yang is now in fair condition. It was reported in today's
newspaper that Yang Shangkun was in illness for fail to attend a ceremony of
receiving a Tavara Grand Cross Medal by Peruvian delegates in Beijing.
2. Rong Yiren was reported to have returned to Beijing while his son Rong
Zhijian was reported to be backed to Hongkong.
3. Yesterday's Chinese language newspapers in HK has reported that the deficit
of PRC last year is 9.233 billion yuans.]
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Beijing frees Zhao's adviser
============================
By Geoffrey Grothall and Willy Wo-Lap Lam
A key advsier to the former general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr
Zhao Ziyang, has been released from prison following a thorough investigation
into his involvement in last year's democracy movement, according to sources in
Beijing.
Mr Bao Tong, Mr Zhao's political secretary and the former head of the party
Central Committee's Institute for the Reform of the Political Structure, was
released from Beijing's maximum security Qincheng prison in May.
He is now under house arrest at the Central Party Organisation Department guest
house north of the Forbidden City.
However, informed sources said yesterday that there was nothing to indicate
that hard-core political activists arrested since June 4, last year, including
Hongkong citizen Luo Hai-sing, would be set free soon.
A Hongkong-based Chinese official said yesterday that after the release of
astrophysicist Professor Fang Lizhi, he expected more activists to be released
soon, although some people, such as literary critic Liu Xiaobo, would almost
certainly be jailed for "spreading counter-revolutionary propaganda".
Chinese sources said investigations into Mr Bao's alleged involvement in the
"counter-revolutionary rebellion" last year had yielded no incriminating facts.
The authorities are now deciding what to do with Mr Bao, who has been allowed
visits from his family.
Chinese analysts said Beijng would probably time Mr Bao's release to coincide
with another campaign to win further concessions from the West.
Chinese sources said the release of Mr Bao and the partial rehabilitation of
the reputation of liberal think-tanks once associated with Mr Zhao, was made
possible by the authorities' re-evaluation of the role played by Mr Zhao's
associates and other liberal intellectuals in last year's democracy movement.
In last summer's Report on the Counter-Revolutionary Rebellion by Beijing mayor
Mr Chen Xitong, which was the Communist Party's official verdict on the
democracy movement, Mr Bao and members of such intellecual trusts as the
Research Institute for the Reform of the Economic Structure were labelled
conspiratorial "black hands" behind the "turmoil".
Mr Bao was specifically implicated for "leaking state secrets" to elements
intending to subvert China.
The sources said, however, that party authorities since spring, had been
reassessing the report by Mr Chen, who is also a State Councillor and regarded
as a protege of the Prime Minister, Mr Li Peng.
The failure to press charges against Mr Bao has been seen as a setback for
conservative leaders, including Mr Li and Mr Chen, who had wanted to
incriminate Mr Bao as a means of bringing Mr Zhao to trial.
However, Chinese sources said it was unlikely that the release of Mr Bao would
lead to the restoration of Mr Zhao's reputation. He is still being charged
with "splitting the party".
Chinese sources said activists regarded as hardcore organisers of the democracy
movement, including newspaper editor Wang Juntao, social scientist Chen Ziming
and literary critic Liu Xiaobo, were unlikely to be given lenient treatement.
They added that Wang and Chen had probably been charged with having committeed
a "counter-revolutionary crime", and that if convicted, they would likely be
given sentences of more than 10 years.
A Hongkong Government source said yesterday that the administration had no
indication of the imminent release of Luo Hai-sing, the Hongkong businessman
who was arrested last December for helping dissidents, including Wang and Chen,
escape frrom Guangdong province.
"We hope reports about his imminent release are true, but we are still trying
to find out solid facts about his case," he said.
The source said that Luo was detained in a Guangdong province prison.
It is understood that since Beijing had let Professor Fang go to the West, the
Hongkong Government has stepped up efforts to seek the release of Luo and
three other Hongkong residents.
Fang free to speak, says UK
===========================
Chinese dissident Professor Fang Lizhi arrived in Britain yesterday pledging to
continue his work for "progress and development" in China.
Britain said it had not imposed any condition of political silence on Professor
Fang, who is to work at Cambridge University.
"He has entire freedom of speech," a spokesman for the Foreign Office said.
Professor Fang and his wife, Ms Li Shuxian, flew into a US base in Britain
yesterday after the Chinese Government allowed them to leave their refuge in
the US Embassy in Beijing, where they had been since early June last year.
"As citizens of China, we hope to do whatever we can in the future to help
China's continuing progress and development," Professor Fang said in a
statement issued through the Royal Society in London.
The statement was issued after the society cancelled tentative plans to present
Professor Fang at a news conference.
The question of whether the outspoken dissident will refrain from criticising
China from exile could be delicate.
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security said the couple was being allowed to go
abroad for medical treatment after showing "signs of repentance".
But an important element in the decision was a pledge by Professor Fang not to
engage in activities against China and a promise from the United States that
it would not make use of him to hurt the Beijing Government.
A long-time friend of Professor Fang, American academic Perry Link, said the
usually outspoken profesor was likely to be reticent until his son, Fang De,
was allowed to leave China.
But Mr Link added: "I know Fang's character. He thrives on speaking the
truth."
A US official in London said that one of Professor Fang's concerns was that
there "not be a lot of fanfare about this" and was anxious to have only
"limited exposure" during his first days in the West.
A Foreign Office spokesman said earlier that Professor Fang was probably being
debriefed by US officials who accompanied him on his flight out of Beijing.
"We're taking it hour by hour but it is Mr Fang who will decide what he wants to
do," the spokesman said.
Foreign Office officials went to the US air base at Upper Heyford, near
Oxford, to meet the 54-year-old astrophysicist, who arrived in Britain on an
American military transport plane just before midnight.
He was also met by members of the Royal Society, Britain's senior scientific
body, who invited him to Britain and agreed to support the couple for at least
a year.
Profesor Martin Rees, director of the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge, said
Professor Fang had accepted a post as a senior visiting fellow studying the
early universe.
Professor Fang worked at Cambridge 10 years ago for six months. "We see our
job as to help him get back into an academic environment," Professor Rees said.
Professor Fang pioneered laser research in China and has also done research in
cosmology, focusing on black holes.
The couple is in Britain on a renewable six-month visa.
Professor Fang's statement said he and his wife were looking forward to a few
days of quiet to "rest and recuperate, and to have some medical tests".
"The past year has been difficult for us, but we have received strong support
from the international scientific community and friends everywhere," the
statement said.
"My wife and I would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to
President [George] Bush, Ambassador [James] Lilley, and the staff at the US
Embassy in Beijing."
The couple flew to Britain aboard a US Air Force transport jet from Beijing,
landing at Upper Heyford, a US air base 100 kilometres west of London.
US media reports said Professor Fang recently suffered a mild heart attack and
refused to undergo treatment in a Chinese hospital.
A US diplomat was quoted as saying the heart attack was the "face saver" that
permitted the Chinese Government to cite "humanitarian concerns" in permitting
the couple to leave.
The diplomat, the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Richard Solomon, said the US
and Chinese Governments had agreed to refrain from direct reference to the
heart attack, saying only that Professor Fang needed medical treatment.
In Washington, the US State Department issued a statement by Professor Fang and
his wife in which they said they remained opposed to four cardinal principles
of the Chinese constitution "because their purpose is to uphold a political
system of 'class struggle'."
They also said their purpose in going abroad "is focused on scholarly exchange
and research".
Associated Press
Subdued reaction by British groups
==================================
By Staff Reporters
Chinese pro-democracy groups based in London greeted Professor Fang Lizhi's
exile in Britain with a marked lack of enthusiasm.
They said the dissident professor was not keenly involved in the democracy
movement and his release indicated he has become a pawn in relation between the
United States and China.
Mr Wong Wai-kwok of the Chinese Solidarity Campaign based in London said the
astrophyscist was not representative of the workers and the studetns involved
in the democracy movement.
He said: "We don't think he is a militant member. He is not a fighter for
democracy.
"His release was not important to the dissident movement. He is not of the
people. He is a middle class intellectual]."
Mr Gideon Yung, a spokesman for the London-based pressure group, Hongkong Link,
said Beijing was confident the couple would have only limited influence abroad.
"To send Mr Fang and his wife, the best-known critics and the biggest problem
of China to London, Beijing is saying that it would be safe for the dissidents
to go there and their voices would be limited," Mr Yung said.
"Fang must be aware of the implications [of settling in Britain] and would be
careful not to embarrass his host country," he said.
"In addition, the 3,000-odd Chinese students in Britain have never been active
in the democracy movements abroad. The Chinese Embassy here has been watching
them very closely," he added.
Dr Thomas Chan of the Asian Studies Centre at the University of Hongkong also
believed Professor Fang would not play an active role in the democratic
movement despite his unexpected release.
"I don't think he would even be able to play the role of a spiritual leader in
the pro-democracy movement. He would probably concentrate on research work,"
he said.
"Even if Mr Fang wants to play the role of a spiritual leader, there will be
strong opposition within the democratic forces," he said.
"The release of Mr Fang would be one of a series of gestures from China. I
expectt some more to come very soon," he said.
The release was welcomed in Hongkong.
Senior Legco member, Mr Allen Lee Peng-fei, said: "It is the right time that
China improved relations with other countries, not only on economic and trade
matters but also at the diplomatic level. The release of Mr Fang, I believe,
is at the appropriate time," he said.
Executive Councillor Mrs Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, said the incident was good for
the development of Sino-Hongkong relations.
She added the release of pro-democracy activists by China did not only indicate
the country's situation had become more stable, but also reflected the
importance it attached to building its international image.
Dissident pair troubled by heart problems [back issue]
=========================================
Professor Fang Lizhi - allowed to leave China yesterday because of "health
reasons" - suffers from hereditary high blood pressure.
His wife, Prof Li Shuxian, suffered from heart disease last May at the height
of the pro-democracy student movement.
Prof Fang reportedly collapsed last month in wake of a sudden heart attack in
the American Embassy in Beijing.
Prof Fang has always appeared to be in good spirits in public and it is not
widely known he has heart disease.
Close friend and colleague, Prof Xu Liangying, of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences in Beijing, said Prof Fang had been suffering from a hereditary
disease of high blood pressure.
"Fang has suffered from high blood pressure and his disease is rather serious.
It is a hereditary disease and his family members also suffer from high blood
pressure," Prof Xu said.
"Fang's illness is bound to have deteriorated as he has stayed in the US
Embassy in Beijing for a year without proper medical care.
"It will be much better for Fang to go abroad because there are more advanced
conditions available to cure his disease."
Earlier American press reports said Prof Fang collapsed last month after a
sudden heart attack in the US Embassy in Beijing.
Quoting government sources in Washington, the American press said Prof Fang
had refused to be sent to a nearby hospital for treatment, fearing arrest.
He is reported to have been treated inside the American Embassy.
The reports said Prof Fang had been recovering from the heart attack, which was
not life-threatening.
But Prof Xu said yesterday he was unaware of Prof Fang's recent collapse.
"After Fang hid in the US Embassy, I had no channels to contact with him and I
don't know his latest physical conditions," Prof Xu said.
He said Prof Fang did not have great health problems during the period when he
was working at the observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Zhou Nan, director of the Hongkong branch of the Xinhua News Agency, last
night confirmed that Prof Fang had a heart problem.
"Since Fang has suffered from the heart problem, he was allowed to travel
abroad to cure his disease," Mr Zhou said.
But Prof Fang's eldest son, Fang Ke, who is studying in the United States, told
The Hongkong Standard he was unaware of any serious illness.
"My father has very good health and I really don't know where he gets such
heart disease," he said.
Prof Fang's wife, Prof Li told The Hongkong Standard last year that she was
absent from lectures at the Beijing University from mid May to early June
because of poor health.
She said she had no chance to meet students at the university because she had
been suffering from heart disease.
"I can't teach or worked any more at the moment. Fang Lizhi now takes care of
me at home," she said.
"My health has been very poor and I must stay at home to take more rest.
"It is almost impossible for me to see the students throughtout the student
movement," she said.
kwc...@csd.hku.hk
Date : 28th June, 90
Sender : Society of HKU Postgraduates on Chinese Affairs
Postgraduate Students' Box
Student Union Office
University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong
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(JANET: kwchan%csd.h...@uk.ac.earn-relay)
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Yang reported in good health
Beijing set to release son of Fang
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Yang reported in good health
============================
Beijing: President Yang Shangkun was in good health yesterday after an
appendectomy, Vice President Wang Zhen told Chad President Hissene Habre, the
official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Earlier, Xinhua said the 83-year-old general was taken to hospital on Monday
with acute appendicitis, in a report of Mr Wang being "entrusted by President
Yang Shangkun" to welcome Mr Habre at Tiananmen Square.
Mr Habre arrived on Tuesday for his first official visit to China, where he is
to stay until July 1.
A preliminary programme had said Mr Yang would preside at a welcoming ceremony
on Tuesady as well as an evening banquet to follow but both were cancelled and
the welcoming was moved to yesterday.
Xinhua gave no further details about Mr Yang's health.
Mr Yang also missed a reception on Tuesday at the Peruvian Embassy, arranged to
present him with the Grand Cross of Tavara, the highest honour of the Peruvian
Chamber of Deputies.
Mr Wang represented him on that occasion.
On June 2, Mr Yang returned from a tour of Latin America.
On Saturday, Mr Yang appeared in perfect health when he met with Hongkong
business executives at Diaoyutai, China's official state guesthouse.
But Mr Yang did not attend the funeral of former oil industry minister Song
Zhenming on Tuesday.
His hospital stay would explain his absence, but not the fact his name did not
appear on the list of those who sent funeral wreaths, diplomats said.
Mr Yang, a close confidant of senior leader Deng Xiaoping, is also first vice
president of the Central Military Commission, a key position in China.
His was one of the strongest voices behind the army's crushing of the
pro-democracy movement.
Mr Yang's reported hospital stay has apparently thrown Mr Habre's six-day visit
into disarray.
Neither the foreign affairs ministry nor the Chad embassy was able to provide
any details of Mr Habre's itinerary.
"The programme is changing by the minute," an embassy source said.
Mr Habre and Mr Wang did go ahead with the Tiananmen welcoming ceremony, where
they reviewed an honour guard of the People's Liberation Army.
But a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to the People's Heroes, which
should have taken place after the Tiananmen review of the colours, was
deferred, a diplomat said.
Mr Habre and his wife were to make a mid-day visit to the Great Wall, located
about 100 kilometres from Beijing.
Meanwhile, an official at the Bangladesh Embassy said Mr Yang's illness would
not effect the visit of Bangladesh President Hussein Mohammed Ershad, who is
due to arrive today.
-AFP
Beijing set to release son of Fang
==================================
By Antony Cheesewright in London and Tammy Tam
China may allow the second son of dissident scientist Fang Lizhi and his wife
Li Shuxian to join them in Britain "within the next few days".
Beijing's reported decision to give university student Fang Zhe an exit visa is
being widely interpreted in London as another gesture aimed at setting the
stage for better relations between China and the West.
Prof Fang himself said in a statement on Tuesday: "We understand that our son
in China will soon be able to study abroad, and we are naturally looking
forward to a faimily reunion."
Confirming the latest deal, a Whitehall source said: "We are confident the
young man is about to be given permission to leave, but as yet we have no
exact details."
But the telephone in Fang Zhe's Beijing home went unanswered last night, while
a friend of Prof Fang said he had also lost contact.
Professor Xu Liangying, a close friend of Fang family, told The Hongkong
Standard yesterrday that he had no news about Fang junior.
"I called him today and yesterday at home and office but couldn't get him,"
Prof Xu said.
"I've also learnt that he will be alloweed to go abroad. But he has not
contacted me so far. I don't know whether he is now with the US embassy or
with any government official. But I believe that he will be all right."
Prof Xu said one of his friends met Fang Zhe, an employee in a joint-venture
company, just a couple of days before the release of his parents.
"My friend asked whether he had any difficulty and whether he needed any help,
but he said he was fine."
It has also been confirmed that the US allowed the Chinese authorities to
confront Prof Fang before he left Beijing for Britain on Monday night in a US
military transport plane.
A US State Department spokesman, Margaret Tutwiler, said: "They were
interviewed briefly by Chinese officials and journalists."
But she was unable to give details of what was discussed or why the meeting was
allowed.
It was believed to be the first meeting between the Fangs and Chinese
government representatives since the dissident couple sought US protection
shortly after last year's military crackdown at Tiananmen Square.
The 54-year-old astrophysicist, who is to teach at Cambridge University has
diplomatically declined to meet the press in Britain and is now with his wife
at a secret retreat for "a few days peace and quiet".
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "I imagine at some stage he will speak to the
media but that decision will be left up to him."
A spokesman for the Royal Society, the academic body that invited Mr Fang to
Britain said he got "a good night's sleep and is now resting".
Meanwhile the Hongkong Federation of Students yesterday described the release
of Prof Fang as a diplomatic and economic trade-off.
The students said as long as human rights were not respected by the
administration, the world should continue to boycott the Beijing regime.
At a news conference announcing plans to organise a boycott of the Beijing
Asian Games, the federation said many dissidents were still jailed despite the
release.
Spokesman Siew Wai-keung said: "If Hongkong atheletes are determined to compete
in Beijing, they should bear in mind that they cannot claim to represent
Hongkong.
"This is because competing in the Beijing Asian Games is against the will ofmany
Hongkong people."
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Date : 29th June, 90
Sender : Society of HKU Postgraduates on Chinese Affairs
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
Macau hits back over China row
Scientists keep up mainland boycott
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Macau hits back over China row
==============================
>From ADAM LEE
in Macau
MACAU Governor Mr Carlos Melancia has publicly rebuked Chinese officials
for "trying to interfere" in the enclave's internal affairs.
He expressed concern over changes in Sino-Portuguese relations.
He warned that the recent reaction from China was "just like a thermometer,
which forecasts something would happen here just like what has happened
in Hongkong".
He said problems had arisen due to a difference in the philosophies of the
East and the West.
"But in fact, the problems in Macau are only a tenth of those in HongKong"
He said.
Mr Melancla's remarks came after he met the Portuguese President, Dr Mario
Soares, and the Prime Minister, Dr Cavaco Silva, indicating that his words had
their blessing.
Speaking in Lisbon after an hour-long meeting with Dr Silva, who is also
responsible for Portugal's foreign affairs, Mr Melancia said some remarks
on Macau affairs by Chinese officials in the past two months had
been worrying, because "these matters are the responsibilities of Macau
Government".
The night before his meeting with Dr Silva, Mr Melancia had dined with Dr
Soares.
Reports from Lisbon said Mr Melancia had suggested to Dr Soares that
measures must be taken to improve relations between Portugal and China.
The Governor will have another meeting with Dr Soares today before
returning to Macau.
Mr Melancia told reporters outside the Prime Minister's office that leading a
government during the transition period was a hard task.
He stressed that the Macau Government was responsible for staging a
"most perfect" show when the territory reverted to China on December 20,
1999.
Mr Melancia said he was worried about the recent change of attitude
of Chinese officials on Macau affairs. Chinese officials were
"trying to interfere with Macau's internal affairs" and the Macau Government
must clarify the responsibilities between the two sides, he said.
He pointed out that Mr Lu Ping, a deputy director of the Hongkong and Macau
Affairs Office of Beijing's State Council, had voiced his objections about the
name of the Taipei Trade and Tourism Office in Macau.
Mr Lu had described the office as an "official or semi-official"
establishment of the Taiwan Government and insisted that the word
"office" be changed.
Mr Melancia also noted that Mr Lu had criticised the Government for keeping the
monument of Joao Ferreira do Amaral, which the Chinese regarded as "a
symbol or colonialism".
The monument was erected in June 1940 to commemorate the late governor
Do Amaral, who served in Macau between 1846 and 1849. He was ambushed and
killed by Chinese peasants for "trying to set up free trade and open new roads"
to China and was described as "one of the most outstanding governors of
Macau" in a Macau tourist pamphlet. The monument, which features a
bronze statute of the late governor riding a horse and raising his sword,
stands outside the Hotel Lisboa on the approach to the Macau-Taipa Bridge.
Mr Melancia said he felt these incidents were "very strange" and
suspected that relations between Macau and China were changing,
because the Chinese remarks were "very deliberate". The Governor's
remarks were made at a time when the Macau civil service appeared frustrated
by China's repeated criticisms.
Before Mr Melancia's visit to Lisbon, the UnderSecretary for Justice Affairs,
Dr Manuel de Magalhaes e Silva, resigned because he believed ''some guiding
thoughts" on Sino-Portu-guese relations affected his execution of the powers
vested in him. Dr Magalhaes e Silva came under pressure after China
objected to the new Chinese translation of the name of the Macau Organic
Statute. Although the statute is Macau's de facto constitution, China
took issue with the new Chinese name, which literally calls it a constitution
rather than a direct translation as an organic statute. Last night,
officials at the New China News Agency's Macau branch, China's de facto
embassy in the enclave, refused to make any comment, saying they were
waiting for detailed reports from Lisbon.
Macau Legislative Assembly deputy, Mr Lau Kwong-po, said he was aware of
China's objection to the Taipei Trade and Tourism Office, but knew nothing
about the monument.
Scientists keep up mainland boycott
====================================
Dr MICHAEL CHUGANI in Washington
More than 300 scientists from around the world are expected to continue their
boycott of China despite the Beijing regime's decision to release
astro-physicist Professor Fang Lizhi and his wife Li Shuxian this week.
Led by the prominent Soviet physicist and human rights advocate, Dr Yuri
Orlov, the scientists had last month pledged not to take part in
international scientific conferences held in China until the authorities
allowed Professor Fang and his wife safe passage out of the country.
Despite Professor Fang's release, organisers of the boycott now say the pressure
on China will continue until the Beijing regime releases other imprisoned
scientists, science students, and others who were detained following
the military crackdown on the democracy movement in June last year.
"We've decided to go full steam ahead with our effort," said the executive
director of the Roben F. Kennedy Memorial Centre for Human Rights, Ms Kerry
Kennedy.
Ms Kennedy said the boycott would continue until those arrested were either
released or charged and given a speedy trial. The decision to press ahead
was taken following a meeting of the organisers yesterday.
She said the Centre for Human Rights would get in
touch with the 300 scientists taking pan in the boycott to
inform them that the campaign will continue.
Ms Kennedy said the boycott was definitely one factor which led to the
release of Professor Fang but she could not say how large a
part it played.
On Monday, the professor and his wife were alowed to leave China for
Britain where he will take up position at Cambridge University.
When the campaign first got off the ground in mid-May, around 200 scientists
pledged to refrain from taking part in scientific conferences in China
although contacts with individual mainland scientists would
continue.
That figure has now grown to more than 300 scientists from around the
world, led by Dr Orlov and three Nobel Prize winners -
Dr Donald Glaser Dr Owen Chamberlain, and Dr Hans Bethe.
At their Washington press conference to launch the campaign last month,
the organisers made it clear they were appalled by Beijing's treatment
of Professor Fang, who along with his wife and son had sought refuge in
the American Embassy after the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
In a strongly-worded appeal to the US Secretary of State, Mr James
Baker, the scientists said they were "outraged" by Chinese attempts to
extract concessions from Washington in exchange for the astrophysicist'
s release.
They also told the Chinese Academy of Sciences that Professor Fang had
been wrongly accused of counter-revolutionary crimes.
Meanwhile, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday China
had made great efforts to restore ties with the US
"The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to relations
between China and the United States," he said. "It has made great efforts
to restore and improve the relations between the two coun-
But the official, speaking three days after the release of
Professor Fang, was cautious about the future, implying that Washington
must not interfere in China's internal affairs.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fang wants 'peace and quite in UK'
Media ties its own hands
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fang wants 'peace and quite in UK
CHINESE dissident scientist Professor Fang Lizhi made his first public
appearance in London yesterday since arriving in Britain on Monday and
told reporters he was looking forward to a period of "peace and quiet".
Reading from a prepared statement at the headquarters of the Royal
Society, Professor Fang, 54, said he and his wife Ms Li Shuxian had been
resting in the English countryside and had been joined by their eldest
son, Mr Fang Ke, who is a student in the United States.
"This has been a very happy family reunion, since we have not seen him for
four years," Professor Fang said. "We now look forward to our second son's
departure from Beijing to study in the United States."
Professor Fang, who spent the past year living in the US Embassy compound
in Beijing following the June 4 massacre, said he was looking forward to
continuing his research in theoretical astrophysics at Cambridge
University.
"We do not wish to answer any questions about political matters or to
give any interviews. We look forward to a period of peace and quiet," he
said.
He pleaded with the media "not to press me further" and added: "I hope
too that you will understand that we would be grateful if you would not
pursue me while I am in Cambridge."
Professor Fang and his wife arrived at a joint US- British air base on
Monday aboard a special US Air Force transport plane after the Chinese
authorities said he could leave the country for "humanitarian" reasons.
Sir George Porter, the president of the Royal Society which invited
Professor Fang to Britain last December, said he was pleased that the
Chinese scientist would be able to continue with his research.
"Science in general and especially those scientists working in Professor
Fang's own field of cosmology, will benefit from his return to active
research and I wish him a happy and fruitful time in Cambridge ."
Media ties its own hands
========================
LOCAL television has refused to show a New York produced video tape of a
song about the Tiananmen Square massavre. SHANE GREEN reports on the
reaction to the decision in Hongkong.
ANY day now, Tina Liu will receive a package marked "Return to Sender".
The content is a music video of the song Tiananmen Square, which
Hongkong's television stations have deemed too hot to handle.
The New York-produced tape - in a We Are The World format - features noted
international artists including Roberta Flack and Grover Washington
Junior. Lyrics like "Death screams ring out through the night, they're
killing all people in sight" are sung against news footage of last year's
Beijing Spring and the June 4 massacre.
Ms Liu, who helped produce the song and appears in the chorus, is
viewing the decisions by TVB and ATV philosophically.
"I'm disappointed. All right, too bad," said Ms Liu. Her resigned
attitude seems to partly stem from an inside knowledge of the workings of
local television: Ms Liu worked as ATV's talent and image director for 18
months.
Others, however, are more concerned, alarmed at what appears to be a
blatant example of self-censorship by vital and powerful organs of the
mass media.
"Freedom of expression is essential in Hongkong if we are to maintain our
freedoms," said Dr Ray Wacks, head of the Law Department at the
University of Hongkong.
"In many ways, it's the most important of our freedoms. When those who
are principally responsible for exercising that freedom, mainly the media,
begin to impose censorship on themselves, then that's the slippery
slope I suppose."
"It's very disturbing," said Emily Lau, chairman of the Hongkong
Journalists' Association. "What will ultimately suffer is the free flow
of information, and that is something which Hongkong people have enjoyed
and would like to preserve.
"It seems they are making such inroads into it. That is the alarming
thing. The question is: where will that lead us?"
Significantly, radio has not imposed any censorship Both Commercial Radio
and the Government's Radio Television Hongkong
have played the song on both their Chinese and English language
stations.
TVB and ATV, however, think differently. While both stations showed the
video as part of news footage earlier this year, they gave a definite "no"
to showing the video as part of normal programming.
The first to make its decision public was TVB. "Knowing the background
of the tape, we decided that the message there is definitely breaching
one of the clauses laid down in the Television Regulations, programming
standards," maintained Li Wing-on, the station's external affairs
manager.
"Of course, basically that is something to do with the political message
there."
ATV followed suit, but didn't cite the Television Ordinance. "After
careful consideration, our decision is that at this stage, we will not
broadcast the song," said Quentin Fong, the station's assistant controller
of external affairs.
TVB and ATV executives strenuously denied the decisions were taken to
avoid offending China.
"Definitely, that is not the case," said TVB's Mr Li, adding that before
any-programme was broadcast, "our very primary task is to ensure
whatever goes on air will comply with the regulations laid down in the
Ordinance".
"All things are so delicate at this moment," said Mr Fong "We are not
trying to please any party by not broadcasting the song. We just felt that
at this stage maybe everyone is so sensitive ... when circumstances
change, there's always other opportunities to broadcast this song."
Surprisingly, TVB would not publicly reveal which clause of the Television
Ordinance the video would have breached.
It is understood, however, that the station is referring to a clause
which directs stations to exclude programmes likely to "serve the
interest of any foreign Party".
Station sources cite promotional material for the video, which is part
of the Project for Tiananmen Square. A press release states the purpose
of the project is "to raise awareness of the global struggle for
democracy and to support organisations dedicated to shaping a democratic
future for China through education and dialogue".
Privately, television executives talk about the decision in terms of
maintaining Hongkong's stability.
"Hongkong is caught at this particular juncture in time in a difficult
position," said a member of one station,'s management. "Somehow people
appreciate the situation-it will make Hongkong as a place a little more
stable.
"The objective is not to be controversial and raise a lot of steam on this
particular issue at this particular juncture in time. I think we have a
responsibility to the people of Hongkong - it is not that we are kowtowing
to a particular government or whatever.
"It is strategic for Hongkong's survival."
The attitude and the decision, however go to the very heart of the freedom
of expression, a free press, and whether media organisations should be
pursuing active self-censorship to promote, in effect, political aims
Analysts are pointing out the difference between the stations' decision
and other censorship controversies in the past year.
There have been two noted cases in the politically hot atmosphere since
the June 4 massacre. In the first, the Television and Entertainment
Licensing Authority effectively banned a right of abode commercial because
it was considered to be of a "political nature".
The second incident involved the Taiwanese documentary, Mainland China
89. Censors cut 16 minutes from its opening, which focused on Tiananmen
Square. No detailed explanation was provided, but fear of offending
China was the assumed motivation.
Both were censored by the Hongkong Government Tiananmen Square, however,
was rejected by the media organisations themselves.
As the HKJA's Emily Lau pointed out, the present case was a rare example
of self-censorship being made public.
"It is much to be lamented at this wry early stage in the transition
period that such influential media organisations should be making such
decisions on political grounds," she said.
Added Mrs Lau: "We are still seven years away and it seems so blatant
already. You can also ask if this happened in this case, what about
their news programmes. How do they censor or not self-censor
themselves?"
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
Seven years to build confidence factor
Politicians criticise arrest of four democracy activists
Chinese dismiss Macau charges
HK Imported labour scheme
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Seven years to build confidence factor
======================================
TODAY'S date is one of triple significance for Hongkong. In exactly seven
years sovereignty over Hongkong will revert to China, bringing an end to
almost a century and a half of British colonial rule. It is also the
69th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party and
the national day of Canada, a country which has received the bulk of
Hongkong emigrants and a huge infusion of local capital.
An estimated HK$19 billion poured into Toronto and Vancouver last year,
helping to drive up real estate prices in a society that still feels
ambivalent about the dramatic changes caused by this influx. The flight of
the elite and their money is a worrying trend that shows no sign of easing
during a fitful transition.
There are two ways of viewing the future. Hongkong can believe the
Doomsday merchants and prepare for the worst. Or it can face the next
seven summers with measured confidence and courage. Long on prag-
matism, many are hedging their bets and seeking an insurance policy, be it
British citizenship for which 225,000 will ultimately qualify or another
foreign passport. This acute anxiety will compel more to join the hundreds
of thousands who are seeking to join those in Canada, the United States
and Australia. Most will probably remain overseas, while others might
return.
To encourage their return, more must be done to instil confidence. The
megaphone diplomacy that has characterised relations between China and
Britain must be replaced by a willingness to resolve outstanding
differences.
The visit to Beijing later this month of British Minister with Special
Responsibility for Hongkong, Mr Francis Maude, is a positive step, to be
followed by a visit from the Foreign Secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd later this
year.
In his talks with Beijing leaders, Mr Maude will need to allay suspi-
cions about his country's nationality package for 50,000 key families. For
its part, China could modify its image in Hongkong by softening its op-
position to the package.
Mr Maude and Mr Hurd can explain to the Chinese better than anyone
from Hongkong that the nationality scheme endorsed by the House of Lords
on Friday is not meant to siphon the top professionals, entrepreneurs
and administrators from the territory. Unlike the relaxed Canadian
immigration policy, especially its controversial investor category
designed to lure away Hongkong money, the British package will induce
its recipients to stay. The Chinese threat not to recognise foreign
passports held by Hongkong residents and to deny these people sensitive
jobs in government will sabotage the package and affect the administration
of, and business faith in, the territory.
China's scepticism over the proposed airport and port development is
also worrying. So far, the dispatch of specialists from Beijing to scout
for another site for the replacement airport and reluctance to back the
project smacks of short-sighted political posturing. Ultimately China
should realise that it stands to benefit from the project. Much of the
demand for imported labour and raw material will be met by China, thus
helping to spur its own economic reforms and contribute to its strategy
for transforming the Pearl River estuary into one industrial and finan-
cial nexus with its heart in Hongkong. Rather than subject an economic
decision to political considerations, China should analyse the airport
and port project strictly on its merits.
The Beijing Government has for the past year weighed Hongkong's economic
worth with its potential political liability to the mainland. As China
and the Communist Party recover from the backlash after the excessive
violence of last June, its more pragmatic leaders have begun to realise
that Hongkong requires encouragement, not bluster and threats. The Basic
Law's guarded approach to democratic evolution in Hongkong is not
immutable and could be moderated with the future assent of the National
People's Congress when China itself adapts to the moderating trend in
other parts of the world. But for now China must not thwart in any way the
direct elections to the Legislative Council next year.
The success of next year's elections is paramount for it will set the
tone for an autonomous Hongkong whose people will be able to govern
themselves and work with the mainland for a progressive China. Neither
democracy nor the Bill of Rights is intended to curtail Chinese
sovereignty, rather they are manifestations of the people's growing
political and constitutional maturity.
The concern about the exodus is reflected in the Hongkong Government's
special task force assigned with the responsibility of compiling a profile
of the emigrant. The current policy of not actively discouraging
people from leaving - for the freedom of movement is fundamental to
confidence in Hongkong - and providing the environment for them to return
must be maintained. Though estimates suggest only one in 10 is prepared
to return, those who do will bring with them expertise and experience
gleaned from abroad that can only enhance Hongkong's image as an interna-
tional centre. Those who fill the vacuum left by the brain drain also
contribute towards making the territory a cosmopolitan city. The commit-
ment to more international schools, better educational and training op-
portunities and attractive employment terms for these returning sons and
daughters are signs that Hongkong is tackling its problems.
On this day in 1997, Canada will be celebrating its 1 30th and the Chi-
nese Communist Party its 76th anniversaries. For Hongkong, it will mark
the start of a new era. As the territory counts down this final decade
towards the 1997 handover there is much to be done to build and maintain
its drive and spirit.
Politicians criticise arrest of four democracy activists
========================================================
By CHRIS DOBSON
TWO prominent politicians, one from each side of the Atlantic, have
protested against the arrest of four leading pro-democracy activists for
using a loudspeaker without permission.
Britain's Liberal Democrats' leader, Mr Paddy Ashdown, and American
Congressman, Mr John Porter, condemned the Hongkong Government for
prosecuting the activists and warned of a bleak future for the territory
if such action continue.
Both were referring to an alleged incident by members of the United
Democrats of Hongkong (UDHK) that took place at the Star Ferry concourse
during a protest against the Basic Law in February.
In a letter to British Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher, dated June
29, Mr Ashdown said he "must express his strongest concern over the
Hongkong Government's actions in this matter".
"It is extremely worrying that the Hongkong Government should seek to
suppress the freedom of expression, in a way that can only serve to make
it easier for the Chinese Government to do the same thing after 1997,"
said Mr Ashdown.
On June 22, Mr Porter expressed similar concern to the House of
Representatives that four pro-democracy leaders had been arrested for
using a hand-held megaphone without prior written consent from the
Commissioner of Police.
"What is most disturbing is that the statute chosen to prosecute the
democracy leaders is one that the Hongkong Government has itself
acknosledged contravenes its own Bill of Rights and its commitments under
international human rights covenants," Mr Porter said.
"Such a disregard of human rights and international commitments
frighteningly resembles the current practice of the Chinese Government,
and it sets a wretched precedent fo rthe post-1997 Hongkong Government."
Mr Ashdown, in his letter, also queried why these five were singled out
for arrest at the lawful protest, designed to draw attention to the
failure of the British and Chinese governments to honour their obligations
to the people of Hongkong.
"They were, I understand, amony many at the demonstration; but these five
were some of the most prominent advocates of democracy, and critics of the
British and Chinese fovernments."
The four activists, Ho Chun-yan, former president of Hongkong Affairs
Society, Wong Pik-wan, leader of the Hongkong Christian Institute, Lau
Chin-shek, director of the Christian Industrial Committee, and a
Democratic Platform member, Tsang Kin-shing, also have been charged with
collecting money in a public place without a licence.
A fifth activist, Kwai Tsing District Board chairman, Li Wing-tat, has
been only with collecting money in a public place without a licence.
The five are due to appear in court on July 13.
Chinese dismiss Macau charges
=============================
By CAITLIN WONG
THE head of China's de facto embassy in Hongkong, Mr Zhou Nan has
rejected allegations by Macau Governor, Dr Carlos Melancia, that China
has been interfering in Macau's internal affairs.
Mr Zhou, director of the New China News Agency said differences between
China and Macau should be settled through diplomatic channels.
"I think both sides should co-operate with each other in different
matters. But if differences in opinions emerge they could seek to carry
out negotiation through diplomatic means," he said.
He said China applied the same policy towards Macau and Hongkong, and
would implement the "one country, two systems" concept with consideration
to the historical differences between the two territories.
Mr Zhou was speaking at the opening of a symposium on "one country, two
systems".
He also called for more Sino-Hongkong co-operation to ensure the
successful implementation of the formula.
He called on "all parties" in Hongkong to work with China towards
harmonious co-existence under the principles of mutual understanding,
mutual respect and non-intervention.
"And (we also have) to positively build up a brotherhood kind of
co-operation (between Hongkong and China) to promote our mutual
prosperity and contribute to the strengthening of the Chinese race," he
said.
"I think it is important that all parties work together to create a good
atmosphere for co-operation."
On civil service dissent, Mr Zhou felt there was no reason to worry.
He said China had a good track record of abiding by international
agreements so the civil servants should have confidence in Hongkong's fu-
ture.
The two-day symposium which ends today is called a "Positive Approach to
One Country, Two Systems", and is being held to mark the seven-year
countdown to July I 1997.
Yesterday's opening session featured 10 speakers on Hongkong's post-1997
economic development and legal system.
Mr Wong Po-yan, former Basic Law Drafting Committee (BLDC) member, said
Hongkong had to maintain its international status and make the "one
country, two systems" formula work.
Legislative Councillor, Mr Ngai Shiu-kit, called on Hongkong not to be
confined by the principle of non-intervention and establish closer ties
with China.
He pointed to the interdependence of the two places saying that
antagonism was "unconstructive" and should be replaced by "a tolerance for
criticisms."
Another Legislative Councillor, Mr Stephen Cheong Kam-chuen, who is also
a former Basic Law Consultative Committee member, said Hongkong would have
to participate more in the development of the Asian region in the
future in the face of competition from Eastern Europe and a united
Common Market.
In this respect, he said Hongkong could not leave out China as it provided
a vast hinterland of resources.
He called on Hongkong people to put the June 4 massacre behind them and
overcome their fear of the future, saying that it was short-sighted and
unnecessarily simplistic to think that the incident would be repeated in
the territory.
On the legal system, head of Hongkong University's Department of Law, Dr
Raymond Wacks said the common law system could be maintained in
Hongkong after 1997 only if there were protection of human rights and a
government which had the general support of the people.
The continued use of English and the independence of the judiciary were
also essential. he said.
HK Imported labour scheme
=========================
By JOYCE NIP
---------------------------------
A HIGH-level Philippine government
delegation is scheduled to arrive in the territory on Tuesday for two days
of secret talks with Hongkong Government officials about a proposed
imported labour scheme.
The delegation will put forward a proposal to secure "a number of
opportunities" for Philippine nationals as part of the Hongkong
Government's plans to bring more than 14,000 foreign workers to the
territory.
The Philippine delegation will include the undersecretaries for labour,
foreign affairs and administration.
--------------------------------
"CHINESE workers entering Hongkong from the mainland to fill the acute
labour shortage are being forced to sign agreements stating that local
employers find it "impossible" to pay them Government-imposed wage rates,
and agreeing to work for less.
Hundreds of Chinese workers already in Hongkong under a scheme that will
mushroom from this month are being forced to sign secret contracts
designed to nullify the wages imposed in official Immigration Department
contracts.
They also are being forced to pay illegal fees to Chinese state-run
employment agencies.
The secret contracts are expected to further upset the already angry
labour movement, which is planning to boycott a Labour Advisory Board
meeting tomorrow to protest a plan to bring 14,700 workers into Hongkong.
The Government intends to begin taking applications this month for the
import of foreign workers.
Labour unions have charged that the imported workers will be open to
exploitation. While the Government has countered that it would monitor the
thousands of new imported workers, it was unaware of the double contracts
for those who first started arriving from China last year.
There are several China backed employment agencies already in Hongkong
which hope to bring in workers from the mainland under the scheme.
Mr Ng Kwok-ching, director of one employment agency, Yuet Fuk
(International)
Trading Co, said more than 300 workers brought in last year from China had
all signed a "voluntary statement" in addition to the official contract
with their employer.
The contract signed by the Chinese workers has been obtained by the Sunday
Morning Post. In it, employees agree they have "come to know and deeply
feel" that the salary set by the official Hongkong Immigration Department
contract is "in fact above the level of local Hongkong workers.
"I also think my work may be less effective than local workers. Employers
would find things like these impossible to accept and give me up. Because
of that I would also lose the chance of going to Hongkong to work."
Employees must sign official Hongkong Government employment contracts
which contain a required salary.
But their alternate contract states that "actual implementation of the
contract be amended to a salary level which is considered reasonable ...
so as to make the arrangements practicable."
Yuet Fuk is authorised by the China Fujian Corporation for International
Techno-Economic Co-operation (CFC) to import labour into Hongkong. CFC is
one of the few Chinese companies approved by the Chinese State Council to
send workers to Hongkong.
At the same time CFC said it was deducting i5 per cent of the wages as set
in the contracts of imported workers each month despite the fact that
monthly deductions are illegal.
"The actual percentage to be deducted from the worker's wages every month
is negotiated between the employer and us," said CFC Consultation Manager,
Mr Gu Deqi. "But it would not exceed 25 per cent." Mr Gu is a manager of
Hop Kin Engineering Development Ltd here, which represents CFC in
Hongkong.
Other imported workers had complained earlier that much of the wages they
had expected in their contracts were never given to them.
Labour Department spokesman Mr Raphael Li Tsung-shuen said it was illegal
for recruitment agencies in Hongkong to collect a monthly fee from the
workers.
Mr Li said employment agencies were not allowed to charge a successful
job-seeker in China more than 10 per cent of his first month's wages.
"There is no provision for deduction of management fee from the workers'
wages. Such deductions are illegal," he said.
When asked whether he knew charging the workers a monthly fee was against
Hongkong law, Mr Gu replied: "The portion we detain is very small. And
that is the fee for our management of the workers."
The personnel manager of one major construction company in Hongkong said
its employment agent collected 25 per cent of the wages of all workers
they imported for them every month.
Mr Tony Hammond, Commissioner for Labour said he was not aware of abusive
practices of agents.
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Beijing urged to improve relations
Cleric was unaware of religious date
Leaders must be orthodox, warns party
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Beijing urged to improve relations
==================================
THE Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Toshiki Kaifu asked China yesterday to
take further steps to improve relations with the West and remained non-
committal on when Japan would reopen talks on its frozen loan package for
Beijing.
"There are some countries in the West which think China's efforts [at
democratisation] are insufficient," he was quoted by Japanese officials as
telling Mr Li Tieying, the Chinese Education Minister and a state
councillor.
"We wish China would continue its efforts to create a favourable
international environment," Mr Kaifu added.
Japan joined Western nations in suspending fresh loans to China and
high-level contacts after Chinese troops crushed pro-democracy protests in
Beijing in June last year.
But Mr Li, who is also a Communist Party Politburo member, arrived in
Tokyo on Saturday on a nine-day visit to attend a world flower exposition
in Osaka.
During their SO-minute meeting, Mr Li asked Mr Kaifu to release the 810
billion yen (HK$41.31 billion) in official loans Japan has pledged to
China for 19901995.
The Prime Minister did not directly reply with regard to the frozen loan
package but said the two countries needed to continue talks.
The Foreign Ministry official quoted Mr Kaifu as telling Mr Li, "there is
still a fence between the two countries, but we should create a favourable
environment through dialogue and mutual efforts".
Mr Kaifu added that he would speak for China at a seven-nation summit of
industrialised democracies in Houston set for July 9 to July 11, the
officials said.
He said last Thursday Japan would explain to the other summit members -
Britain, Canada, France West Germany, Italy and the United States that it
would act "from its own, independent standpoint" in resuming talks on its
loans to China.
Mr Li said the two countries should make "fresh efforts" and the Chinese
government would do its utmost.
The Chinese minister also conveyed to Mr Kaifu
Feetings from the Communist Party chief, Mr Jiang Zemin and a message from
the Prime Minister, Mr Li Peng, that pointed out that China would continue
to place importance on ties with Japan
An Asian diplomat said in Tokyo: "Japan is trying to persuade the other
six to lift sanctions. But the issue is still too sensitive for the US
Congress, so the summit will agree only to resume loans for so-called
humanitarian purposes."
However, Mitsubishi Trust & Banking Corp said yesterday it had signed a
contract to lend China's state airline, Air China US$126 million (HK$982.8
million) to buy a new Boeing 747400 aircraft.
This means Japan's Finance Ministry has lifted an unofficial ban on
Japanese banks giving new loans to China since the crackdown. Since 1979,
Japanese banks have been the biggest leaders to China, holding about half
of its foreign debts of more than US$40 billion.
Acencies
Cleric was unaware of religious date
====================================
ACTIVIST Reverend Fung Chi-wood admitted in North Kowloon Court yesterday
that he did not know January 6 was Epiphany the twelfeth day after
Christmas.
Cross-examined by Senior Crown Counsel, Mr Christopher Coghlan, Fung
confirmed he had been ordained and also agreed that he had taken part in a
two-day hunger strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day last year. When it
was suggested by Mr Coghlan that to Fung politics took precedence over
everything, it was objected to by Fung's lawyer Mr Martin Lee, QC, who
protested that Fung was a minister and asked the Crown to have some
respect for God.
Fung admitted collecting donations in public without a licence, but denied
deliberately breaking the law.
He was given no reason for the rejection of his application for a permit
and believed the refusal was unreasonable, he said.
Fung, 33, was giving evidence in his defence, having been charged with
failing to produce an identity card collecting donations without a licence
and obstructing a policeman in the execution of his duty.
He has pleaded not guilty to all three summonses and is being tried by
magistrate Mr Robert Edwards.
It was the Crown's case that Fung led a demonstration in Kowloon on the
afternoon of January 6.
Before the march started two policemen went to the office of the
Professional Teachers' Union (PTU) on Nathan Road to look for Fung who
alleyedly refused to produce his identity card on request.
The court heard that although no licence was granted, about $500 was
collected in donations from passersby during the procession.
It was also alleged that while a policeman was checking identity cards,
Fung using a loud hailer, told followers there was no need for them to
show their identity cards.
Fung testified that the major objective of the demonstration was to
protest against the proposal put forward by the Basic Law Drafting
Committee on the political structure after 1997.
It was unsatisfactory that only a third of the legislative councillors
would be directly elected, he said.
Including himself, there were nine marchers all together, he said.
He was asked to produce his identity card in the PTU office but maintained
the request was made inside the office and not in the lift lobby as
alleged.
At no time did he tell the officer that he would not produce his identity
card, he said, adding that he just wanted to know the reason why he was
singled out since there were other people around.
Fung said he was unhappy about police checking the marchers' identity
cards so he requested them to stop.
He had not asked the marchers not to show their identity cards to the
police he said, adding that he had no intention of obstructing the
policeman from doing his duty.
Fung admitted he had used a loud hailer without a permit but contended
that using one hailer was within the tolerance of the public and would not
cause any public nuisance.
Fung denied he was unco-operative with the police.
On the contrary, he said it was his impression that the police had
severely hampered the outnumbered marchers.
He also maintained that he only requested the police to stop taking
personal particulars from the demonstrators and it was not meant to be a
criticism of the police.
The hearing continues today.
Leaders must be orthodox, warns party
=====================================
WILLY WO-LAP LAM
THE Chinese Communist Party celebrated its 69th birtihday yesterday with a
warning that leadership positions must remain in the hands of "true
Marxists".
However, the party's most important leader, patriarch Mr Deng Xiaoping,
stayed away from the limelight of the official media which failed to
report on his meetiltg with Bangladesh President General Hossain Mohammad
Ershad last weekend.
In a gathering of senior cadres marking the 69th anniversary of the
founding of the party, the head of the organisation department, Mr Lu
Feng, said "the most urgent, the most practical question is what kind of
people will hold leadership positions in the party and state in the coming
10 to 20 years"
Mr Lu, who succeeded Politburo member Mr Song Ping as organisation chief
last year, said a top priority of "party construction" was to boost the
"political and cultural quality" of cadres in their 30s and 40s.
"From now on, we must make arrangements that they systematically study
Marxist theory," Mr Lu said. "They must also undergo training and tests in
leadership positions of different strata so that they can mature as
quickly as possible".
Mr Lu added that the party must ensure the political rectitude not only of
central-level leaders but also local-level officials.
He said the party's organisation experts at variou levels would select
cadre from among "superior workers and farmers".
Mr Song Ping, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, added that "the
success or failure of building the party of 49 million members is directly
related to the rise or fall of the country and the victory or failure of
the socialist modernisation drive".
China analysts say the views of Mr Lu and Mr Song reflect the fear of the
hardline faction that cadres exposed to "bourgeois liberalisation",
including former associates of ousted party chief Mr Zhao Ziyang, may take
up leadership positions
"Both Mr Song and Mr Lu are close to patriarch Chen Yun, who is considered
the 'godfather' of the central planners and hardline ideologues," a
Wectern diplomat said.
"While more liberal leaders like Li Ruihuan are advocating that the party
unite as many social sectors as possible, Song and Lu are saying only
confirmed Marxists be allowed into the pany's higher echelons."
Chinese sources said the leadership question had been rendered even more
urgent by the precarious health of Mr Deng, who in the past few months had
acted as "mediator" among the party's various factions.
His eagerly-anticipated meeting with General Ershad was not reported in
the Chinese media.
Mr Deng has been active in the past few weeks. For example, it was he who
decided on the release of Professor Fang Lizhi and other political
prisoners.
His failure to appear on television, however, has given rise to
speculation.
The Foreign Ministry said General Ershad met Mr Deng, who turns 86 next
month, last Saturday because they are old friends but that Mr Deng
requested there be no media coverage. However, the condition of President
Mr Yang Shangkun, who has been hospitalised for a week for acute
appendicitis, has improved noticeably.
The official New China News Agency quoted Mr Yang as telling General
Ershad that "my operation was carried o successfully and I have been
recovering quickly, you may rest assured".
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Local soldiers urged to seek UK passports
Stars dream of HK and second passports
Governors moved in efficiency drive
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Local soldiers urged to seek UK passports
=========================================
By SIMON MACKLIN
SOLDIERS and officers in the Hongkong Military Service Corps are being
encouraged to apply for British nationality to help increase their
prospects after 1997.
The corps will be disbanded before the transfer of sovereignty and there
is concern that the men, who are full members of the British army, might
be discriminated against by the future Chinese authorities.
Soldiers and officers are being encouraged to apply for British
nationality under existing schemes and it is hoped to place some in posts
within Hongkong's own disciplinary services.
About 1,200 men and 17 officers are now serving in the corps in support of
the British garrison with allegiance to the British Crown rather than
the Hongkong authorities.
Commandant of the corps, Lieutenant-Colonel Archie MacKenzie, admitted
the soldiers were worried about their future after 1997 but said morale
was still high.
"Inevitably they are showing the concerns of men who have served in the
uniform of Her Majesty the Queen many of them feel at risk" he said.
The corps will be disbanded before 1997 and a special fund has been
established to help men leaving military service.
With only seven years to go until the transfer of sovereignty, the army
cannot continue to offer conditions of service with a gratuity for men
who have completed 12 years.
The corps is still recruiting soldiers to serve at the border and in
other roles and Colonel MacKenzie said they were facing little problem
attracting men despite the general labour shortage in Hongkong and
competition from other disciplined services.
The Ministry of Defence has considered a number of proposals for the
future of the corps, including transferring the men for service
elsewhere with the British army.
"I feel we are beholden to care for these men as British soldiers whether
monetarily or through the offer of the right of abode," Colonel MacKenzie
said.
But he said the most that could now be offered was to help the men find
other employment when they were demobilised.
"I would actually encourage all my men to apply for right of abode on
the basic that it provides another opportunity for them when they leave
the service," Colonel MacKenzie said.
"They are British soldiers, there is no question about it, they have an
inalienable right to be treated as British soldiers."
Existing nationality legislation allows for people serving the Crown to
be granted full right of abode.
The proposed British Nationality (Hongkong) Bill also allows for right of
abode, to be granted to those ir "sensitive posts" who might face
discrimination after 1997 and provides further points for those with links
to Britain through employment.
A special trust is being established to provide fund for former soldiers
in special need after the British withdrawal.
The funds will be held in trust off-shore but Colone MacKenzie denied the
money would be used to help people emigrate.
It was intended to raise about $35 million to $50 million, which would be
administered to needy case; including those who had emigrate.
A British Government spokesman in Hongkong said there were provisions for
granting nationality to Crown servants within existing legislation.
Stars dream of HK and second passports
======================================
THE Shangri-La Hotel was no place for cynics yesterday when a ceremony
dripping with goodwill and enthusiasm was carried out.
About 20 stars from the local entertainment world signed a declaration of
intent to support a project aimed at improving Hongkong's future.
The project, organised by RTHK and sponsored by the International Bank of
Asia, is called "Dreams of Hongkong" and takes the form of a fund-raising,
and hopefully confidence-boosting, bit of showbiz.
An album, to be released in the middle of the month features local,
Taiwanese and mainland stars. Proceeds go towards funding two concerts
next month.
Those proceeds should be vast advance orders for 30,000 copies of the
album have already been reported.
But enough of all that and back to the cynics. The one thing that jarred
Yesterday was the sight of so many artistes, who have either already
secured a second passport or spoken of their plans to leave Hongkong,
pledging to work for the future of the place.
Confronted with this apparent contradiction, organisers and
participants alike took a pragmatic stand.
Singer Sally Yeh said that sometime in the future she would rejoin her
family in Canada.
"As much as people love Hongkong, there is the fear of what is going to
happen," she said. "You cannot love a place if it cannot take care of
you."
"But if I had a choice of anywhere in the world to live, I would choose
Hongkong."
So too would singer Alex To, who has Canadian citizenship, having spent
five years studying there. He said he feels Hongkong is his home but
expressed fears
"I think people in Hongkong are getting hysterical," he said. "They
don't love each other so much any more."
"They are suspicious and offensive to people who have come in from China.
I think the people need to open up.
"If anything happens to Hongkong I will have to settle for second best
for the rest of my life and I don't like that."
The project co-ordinator and head of Radio Two Cheung Man-sum, said the
project would be a success if it simply helped improve confidence in
Hongkong.
"To be fair we got them [the stars] together to make a symbol," he said.
"Through this project we want to show that Hongkong is not really as
worried as some people think."
He also said he hoped overseas stations would give the record airplay.
"If Hongkong can broadcast We Are The World then why can't they have a
Chinese song?"
Several of the celebrities said they recognised the irony of the
situation as far as "want-away" stars went.
Film director Tsui Hark said: "All we can do is hope. Whether they [the
stars] stay or not they have the right to try but hopefully if they do
leave they will come back.
"The SOS signal has been sent out from Hongkong for a long time now but
this is independent to it. It is an effort to create confidence here, to
put more strength and hope into the people."
Tsui does not hold another passport. He plans to carry on working here
but after seven years to work on a "see how it goes" basis.
Pop star Sandy Lam also said she has no plans to leave but admitted she
sympathised with those who do.
"I don't think any of us want to leave Hongkong but we have to face
reality and look at the future," she said.
She said she does not plan to go far afield, but would rather see Asians
unite.
Governors moved in efficiency drive
===================================
By WILLY WO-LAP LAM
BEIJING has rotated the governors of three key provinces in a drive to
boost efficiency and reduce regionalism.
The official China News Service (CNS) yesterday announced that Mr Yue
Qifeng, Mr Cheng Weigao, and Mr Li Changchun have respectively been named
the governors of Liaoning, Hebei, and Henan provinces.
They had formerly headed the administrations of Hebei, Henan and
Liaoning.
Quoting Chinese sources, CNS said: "The aim of this decision by the Com-
munist Party Central Committee is to comprehensively train and
propagate cadres, so that they can have the ability to adapt themselves
to different environments."
Chinese sources said the Central Committee had recently relayed
instructions to local party authorities stressing the importance\of
rotating officials in an effort to promote effciency and cut down on
regionalism.
Of the three changes, Liaoning Governor, Mr Li Changchun's, move to Henan
has aroused the most interest Mr Li, at 46 one of China's youngest
provincial chiefs, is a rising star in Chinese politics.
A well-known theorist in economic reform, Mr Li has been moved to Henan to
gain exposure to agrarian problems.
"Mr Li's track record as a reformist is valuable at a time when the
hard-line Beijing leadership is talking about the full-scale resumption of
economic reform," a Western diplomat said.
"With a population of 80 million, Henan is in many ways a more important
province than Liaoning whose population is around 35 million."
Mr Yue Qifeng, Hebei Governor since 1988, is a native of the province. He
has spent his entire career in Hebei, having taken up official positions
in the cities of Handan and Tangshan.
Western diplomats who have come into contact with Mr Yue, 59, describe him
as open-minded. They also dismiss as "pure speculation" rumours that Mr
Yue has been transferred because of demonstrations that had broken out in
two Hebei colleges early last month.
The new Hebei Governor, Mr Cheng Weiguo, is a native of Jiangsu province
where he has worked most of his life.
Analysts say with the latest personnel changes, the reshuffle of the
leadership of the provinces, begun in late 1989, is close to completion.
Among major provinces whose leadership will be reshuffled are Hainan and
Guangdong.
Mr Xu Shijie, party boss of Hainan Island since 1988 is retiring soon
because of a severe illness described by his friends as stomach cancer.
Analysts believe Mr Xu's political fortune has also been hurt by his dose
association with ousted party chief Mr Zhao Ziyan.
Chinese sources say the party leadership is finding a replacement for
Guangdong Governor, Mr Ye Xuanping, who will shortly take over the
position of provincial party boss from incumbent Mr Lin Ruo.
While both Mr Ye and senior Guangdong officials hope that Beijing will
pick a native Guangdong cadre for the governor's job, the sources say it
is likely that Beijing will choose an "outsider".
Front-runner for the Post is Mr Wang Zhaoguo, who has been governor of
Fujian since early 1988.
Another candidate is Mr Liu Yuan, the Vice-Governor of Henan. Mr Liu is
the son of the late president Mr Liu Shaoqi.
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Beijing suggests it may order new price reform
Police create gun dossier as violence rises
$2 Billion extra for HK surplus
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Beijing suggests it may order new price reform
==============================================
By WILLY WO-LAP LAM
BEIJING has hinted that it will soon order a new round price reform.
In an interview with the official China Daily, Mr Fang Zhipeng, a senior
official of the State Planning Commission, said with inflation down to
its lowest level in two years, it had become "more feasible to take new
step in price reform this year".
Mr Fang said he expected this year's retail price index rise no more than
10 percent.
"The fact that most prices had been held down for such a long time meant at
consumers would be prepared to pay higher costs once state subsidies were
withdrawn on a number of commodities," Mr Fang said.
The senior planner said the "irrational pricing system" had prevented
the unreasonable industrial structure from being straightened out.
"State-controlled low prices of some important materials have impeded the
development of some industries," Mr Fang said.
"And heavy subsidies on grain and other products have worsened waste."
He added that Beijing would try to revive and stimulate the market while
at the same time avoiding a new round of price hikes.
Mr Fang's statement is the first indication that Beijing is about to
revive price reform, the most controversial aspect of economic re-
form.
Analysts say, however that because China's first round of price reform -
undertaken by ousted party chief Mr Zhao Ziyang in late 1988 had
resulted in hyperinflation and social instability, Beijing was likely to
move cautiously.
In a talk to a foreign delegation on Tuesday, the Prime Minister, Mr Li
Peng said that it would not do to be too "impetuous" with economic
reform.
Police create gun dossier as violence rises
===========================================
By EAMONN FITZPATRICK
THE recent upsurge in violent crime has rompted police to compile a
confidential ssier on Chinese-made firearms, which have been used in most of
this year's armed robberies.
The report, produced early last month by the Ballistics and Firearms
Identification Bureau, is believed to document the specifications of a
number of Chinese pistols, including the widely used .54 model and the
common .52, .60 and .70 models - all of which are more powerful than the
..38 model used by police. The report also lists the specifications of other
weapons, induding Chinese hand gredes, which hae been seized in Hongkong
over the last two years. The report is believed to cover the availability
of unlicensed pistols and the price of handguns sold here illegally.
Police are alarmed by the rising number of pistols available and have
pledged to step up intelligence work with their Chinese counterparts to
block the increasing smuggling of firearms into the territory. Armed
robbries committed in the first quarter of this year were nearly double those
the same period in 1989.
Police figures also show that firearms were used in 24 robberies in the first
five months of this year, compared with 33 such cases for the whole of last
year.
Following yesterday's attack on an exective with the British American
Tobacco company, police discovered a spent shell beieved to has been fired
from a 7.62 millimetre automatic pistol - a gun issued to the Chinese military.
On Monday, a Chinese-made handgun and six rounds of ammunition were seized
after a shootout between police and two illeal immigrants in Shamshuipo.
Mainland sources have said that People's Liberation Army 7.62 millimetre
handguns can be bought for as little as 800 yuan (HK$1,320) and Hongkong
police have said there is increasing evidence that such weapons are bring
brought into the teritory by illegal immigrants recruited by local criminals
to commit robbries.
A large number of firearms seized in Hongkong are also suspected to have come
form Vietnam and been smuggled into the territory via the mainland.
$2 Billion extra for HK surplus
===============================
By FANNY WONG
HONGKONG has ended the financial year with an S 11 billion surplus, $2
billion more than Financial Secretary Sir Piers Jacobs predicted in his
Budget speech only four months ago.
The final figure was 19 percent over his March estimate of $9.3 billion.
Sir Piers told the Legislave Council yesterday that the consolidated
cash surplus for the last financial year was $11.06 billion.
"This is a helpful increase," Sir Piers said.
He had been right in his projection of a surplus of about S 11 billion in
the budget forecast he gave in March last year, but had revised the
estimate to $9.3 bilion when presenting this year's Budget.
Sir Piers has a reputation for being conservative in his forecasts -
1989's surplus finished at $16.8 billion S2.6 billion more than he
forecast a few months before the end of the financial year.
Sir Piers said yesterday the surplus on the general revenue account after
tMnsfers to funds was S4.7 billion, according to the accounts
finalised by the Director of Accounting Services.
If the fund accounts were included, actual total revedue Imounted to
S82.42 billion and total expenditure $71.36 billion.
However, the funds appropriated for the 55 heads of spending under the
Appropriation Ordinance 1989 was insufficient to cover the actual
expenditure.
Sir Piers said supplementary provision of S3.87 billion was approved.
This included $2.66 billion to pay for the second salary increase in
1989-90 for directorate officers in both the civil service and the
subvented organisations.
Other major contributing factors for supplementary provision include
the advance payment of water charges and additional expenditure on
pension and gratuity payments arising from pension and salary in-
creases.
Of the amount of $3.87 billion, $3.03 billion was offset by savings
under the same or other heads of expenditure or by the deletion of funds
under the Additional Commitments subheads.
"The remaining $839.4 million was net supplementary provision," Sir
Piers said.
During the same period, a net reduction of 1,478 posts was approved.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Council yesterday passed three motions moved
by Sir Piers to implement proposals which would generate a total of
$2.64 billion additional revenue in the 1990 Budget.
In moving the first motion under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance Sir
Piers said the proposals were to raise duty payable under the Dutiable
Commodities Ordinance on hydrocarbon oils by about 30 per cent and
duties on tobacco and a number of liquors.
"The total additional revenue from these measures is estimated to be ap-
proximately $l billion per annum," he said.
Maintaining the rise in hydrocarbon oils duty would affect the general
public's livelihood, two councillors abstained from the vote and one
opposed the motion.
Mr Andrew Wong Wangfat voted against the motion saying that boosting
petrol tax only geneMted an additional revenue of about $580 million.
"But its effect on the people's livelihood will be extensive and
interlocking," Mr Wong said.
"This is really an example of moving one tiny part and upsetting the
whole.
"If the Financial Secretary's proposals for increasing and cutting
taxes are fully implemented, the estimated 32.4 billion deficit will be
turned into a $70C million in surplus.
"So why can't we maintain the original level of petrol tax and settle
for a modest surplus of $120 million."
Miss Maria Tam Waichu abstained from voting holding that it was not a
good principle to levy tax a too high a rate too suddenly.
She also feared that there might be a rippling effect on the cost of
public transportation especially when there was no rebate granted to
public franchise bus companies.
The chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee said she feared that the
recent application for fare rises had borne out to the above concern.
"I have considered voting against this motion, but still I think it is
inappropriate," said Miss Tam adding that the proposal had its
advantages such as reduce in unnecessary trips on the road which was good
from traffic management consideration.
Mr Kingsley Sit Ho-yin also abstained from the vote saying that he opposed
to the increase in petrol tax.
The measure would give public utilities companies an excuse for fare
increases.
Mr Sit also opposed an other motion under the Rating Ordinance by Sir
Piers which served to raise the general rate charge by l 1/2 percentage
points to 7 1/2 percent.
He called on the Financial Secretary to undertake that the increases
following the 1991-92 rates survey should only be moderate.
Members yesterday also endorsed the motion under the Betting Duty
Ordinance to increase the rates chargeable on both standard and exotic
bets by one percentage point.
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A shocking disregard for Hongkong's People
Two-year reform effort abandoned
Liberals to co-ordinate poll drive
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A shocking disregard for Hongkong's People
==========================================
By Frank Ching
THE first July I of the 1990s, leaving Hongkong exactly seven years
before it is to come under Chinese sovereignty, saw a seminar held to
prepare people here for the changeover.
This significant date may also be a good time to make the case for
recognition of the territory's right of self determination, a right
consistently denied Hongkong by both China and Britain.
The territory is to be handed over from one government to the other,
without the consent of the people here.
It must be remembered that the Assessment Office's conclusion in 1984 that
"most of the people of Hongkong find the draft agreement acceptable" did
not constitute an expression of consent by Hongkong people to be taken
over by China.
The option presented by Britain was not whether Hongkong wanted to be
taken over by China, but how it preferred to be taken over by China.
As stated in the British White paper issued on September 26, 1984:
"The choice is therefore between reversion of Hongkong to China under
agreed, legally binding international arrangements or reversion to China
without such "arrangements."
The stark manner in which six million people are being transferred from
one government to another without seeking their consent is almost
without precedent in modern times although in the days of imperialism
and colonialism, it might perhaps have been 'taken for granted that
transfers of territory would also 'involve transfers of people 'without
their consent.
Such blatant disregard for the wishes of six million people is shocking
not only because it is taking place in the last decade of the 20th century,
but also because the transaction involves two countries that are permanent
members of the United Nations Security Council.
It is the United Nations, after all that fathered the two international
Covenants on human rights, that is, the 'International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights.
While the two covenants cover different aspects of human rights, the
wording of the first article is identical in both covenants. Article I of
both covenants says:
"All people have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that
right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue
their economic, social and cultural development.
Thus, the most fundamental right of all, whether it be in the civil and
political realm or in the area of economic, social and cultural rights,
is that of self-determination. This is a universal right recognised
today by all nations.
YET, this most fundamental right has been denied to the people of Hongkong.
Compared to this basic right, all other rights pale in significance.
A scholarly discussion of this topic was presented a few weeks ago by the
human rights specialist and law lecturer, Nihal Jayawickrama at a
seminar on the Basic Law at the University of Hongkong.
Mr Jayawickrama explained the right of self-determination comprises
two aspects, international and domestic. External self-determination is
the right of peoples to choose, free from foreign interference, their
status within the international community. Internal self-determination
is the right to choose freely the form of government under which they wish
to live.
Mr Jayawickrama pointed out that resolutions of the United Nations
General Assembly and judgements of the International Court of Justice
have repeatedly stressed that association or integration with an indepen-
dent state should be the result of a free and voluntary choice by the
people of the territory concerned, usually expressed through a referendum
based on universal adult suffrage.
He continued: "It has also been stressed that before a decision to integrate
with another state is taken the territory should have reached an advanced
stage of self-government. Indeed a judge of the International Court Or
Justice has observed that the consultation of the people of the territory
concerned is an 'inescapable imperative'."
As for the lease over the New Territories, which led Britain to agree to
return all of Hongkong to China, Mr Jayawickrama said that "title based
upon a 19th century lease "is not" of any validity under contemporary
international law."
"Land, with people on it, may have been the subject of a valid lease a
century ago," he said, "but cannot be the subject of an inter-state lease
today."
After all, the International Court of Justice, in giving its opinion on
Namibia, had this to say: "An international instrument has to be interpreted
and applied within the framework of the entire legal system prevailing at
the time of the interpretation."
"Accordingly," Mr Jayawickrama explained, "when a legal system by virtue of
which the title has been validly created disappears, the right can no longer
be claimed under the new legal system unless it conforms to the conditions
required by that system."
China's historic claim to Hongkong is not without parallel. The Moroccan
government claimed sovereignty over Spanish Sahara and called for the
re-integration of that territory into Morocco.
But the International Court of Justice held in 1975 that "whatever the legal
ties may have been at the time of colonisation, they cannot now stand in the
way of the application of the principle of self-determination."
Is the integration of Hongkong into China, under contemporary International
law, without the consent of the people of Hongkong, legally possible?
Mr Jayawickrama points out that the International Court of Justice
answered in the negative in the case of Western Sahara. At the time Judge
Nagendra Singh said:
"Even if integration of territory was demanded by an interested state, it
could not be had without ascertaining the freely expressed will of the
people the very sine qua non of all decolonisation."
The Court also said that "if the government of Spain had agreed to support
the claim of the government of Morocco, such an attitude would have been
without any legal effect in the international sphere."
Mr Jayawickrama concluded: "The United Nations Charter, the UN Reso-
lutions on Decolonisation and the International Covenants on Human
Rights have all created a new legal system based upon the principle of
self-determination, and that principle, which has conferred upon the
people of the colony the right to decide what its future should be, prevails
over any ancient title or status."
"In 1970, the United Nations declared that the principle of
self-determination constitutes a significant contribution to
contemporary international law," the law lecturer asserted.
"Elaborating that principle, it explained that a colony has a status
distinct and separate from the colonial power, and that such separate
and distinct status exists until the people of the colony have exercised
their right of self-determination."
After unveiling the Joint Declaration, Britain did not allow the people of
Hongkong to exercise self-determination. They were told that they
would be put under Chinese sovereignty whether they liked it or not.
Britain ruled out the idea of a referendum.
The promulgation of the Basic Law, too, was done without reference to
self-determination by the people of Hongkong.
One immediate lesson is apparent, the divisions within the alliance look
set to remain, albeit below the surface
Two-year reform effort abandoned
================================
By WILLY WO-LAP LAM
BEIJING has called of its two-year effort to streamline the government
structure despite the fact that it faces a serious problem of
overstaffing.
At the same time, the Government has shelved other goals identified in the
reform of the political structure.
In a speech to the National Conference on Government Structural Reforms,
the Secretary General of the State Council, Mr Luo Gan, claimed
that structural reform over the past two years to make central government
offices more efficient 'have achieved obvious results".
"Eight thousand officials and employees from State Council departments had
left their administrative positions and been resettled [in other jobs]
properly," the Chinese media yesterday quoted Mr Luo as saying.
Mr Luo admitted that the problem of overstaffing and the duplication of
government units still existed. However, he said that the process of
streamlining central-level units had been "completed," and that the
exercise would only be pursued in local level offices in the future.
Analysts-say that many offices have become even more bloated than before
because of the re-assertion of central planning in the wake of the
Tiananmen Square crackdown in June 1989.
For example, in 1988, the State Economic Commission(SEC), which was in
charge of overseeing production, was abolished in the interest of
promoting efficiency and giving regional and local enterprises greater
autonomy.
Since late last year, however, many of the functions of the SEC have
been absorbed by the State Planning Commission. And a new unit, the
Production Commission was set up early this year to fill in the gaps
created by the abolition of the SEC.
The State Council's efforts to streamline its operation has also been
hurt by Beijing's determination to cut down on private enterprise.
"[Ousted party chief] Zhao Ziyang tried to slash the number of state
employees by privatising government, mainly letting private business
concerns do the work of government-run industrial and commercial
units," a Chinese economist said.
"Since the middle of 1989, however, Beijing has placed limits on the
private sector and cracked down on companies that have government
connections."
Mr Luo said that the aim of the streamlining exercise was to "rid the
government of work that should not be part of its official duties or which
it could not handle efficiently''.
However, China analysts say the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and
Government have shelved the most important goal of political reform the
separation of party and government which was enshrined by the 13th
party congress in 1987.
First proposed by Mr Zhao, the separation of party and government
envisaged trimming the powers of the CCP and abolishing party
organisations in government units.
Even though the patriarch, Mr Deng Xiaoping, noted last year that "not
one word of the 13th Party Congress Resolution should be changed", the
goal of whittling down the role of the party has been shelved.
Instead, the powers and jurisdiction of the CCP have been expanded to
cover every aspect of Chinese life.
This is in spite of recent reassurances by leaders that Beijing would
continue with political reform.
Liberals to co-ordinate poll drive
==================================
By BELLETTE LEE
LEADERS of four major liberal groups last night agreed to form a united
front to tackle the three-tier direct elections next year.
The United Democrats of Hongkong, Meeting Point, Hongkong Affairs
Society and the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL)
formed a four-member liaison group to co-ordinate future meetings on
their campaign strategy.
Mr Yeung Sum and Mr Frederick Fung Kin-kee will represent the United
democrats and the ADPL on the panel respectively.
Hongkong Affairs Society will be represented by Mr Wai Kar-cheung and
the Meeting Point by its chairman, Mr Anthony Cheung Bing-leung.
The groups will meet regularly on a bi-weekly basis to hammer out the
details for co-operation.
They have agreed in principle to explore the possibility of having a
single unified platform for all their candidates.
"We agreed that co-operation among liberal groups can impress the public
with an image of solidarity," Mr Cheung said.
After a three-hour discussion, Mr Cheung said they would welcome other
groups with similar political outlooks to join the coalition. But they
have yet to come up with an invitation list.
He said the groups would try to co-ordinate their candidate line-ups to
minimise clashes in the districts.
The groups also agreed ta back each others' candidate In their canvassing
efforts.
The decisions last night marked the liberal camp' first concrete step to
contest next year's district board, municipal assembly and Legislative
council elections.
The liberal groups are eager to minimise the chances of their members
fighting one another at the polls, lest the conservative and business
lobby take advantage of any conflicts within the liberal camp.
The activists will hold further meetings to discuss co-operation in terms
of financial and human resources for the three major elections to be
held within a span of Seven months next year.
The elections for the 19 district boards are scheduled for next March,
followed by the maiden direct polls to the legislature in September.
Those for the two municipl councils will be held-in between.
The newly-launched Hongkong Democratic Foundation, headed by legislators
Dr Leong Che-hung, Mr Jimmy McGregor, and Miss Leung Wai-tung, was not
represented in the meeting.
However, the foundation is expected to join the discussions at a later
stage.