China Asserts Power In Hong Kong

China issued a major ruling Tuesday on how Hong Kong chooses its leaders, saying the territory must submit proposed political reforms to Beijing for approval. Hong Kong activists immediately decried the decision.

The Chinese government's National People's Congress issued the ruling in an interpretation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution.

"The right to amend the law belongs to the National People's Congress," said Qiao Xiaoyang, deputy secretary-general of the NPC's Standing Committee.

"A locality has no fixed power," he added. "All powers of the locality derive from the authorization of the central authorities."

Officials said the committee's interpretation was necessary given the wide range of opinions about the Basic Law and its use. They claimed the decision benefited the territory.

"We have not only not impeded the democratic process in Hong Kong, but we have promoted democracy in Hong Kong's political system through our interpretation," Qiao said.

The committee's vote effectively ties the hands of the Hong Kong government by allowing only Beijing to ultimately approve reforms — control that pro-democracy activists have vehemently lobbied against.

"This is like having to ask a robber if you can use your own money," said Law Yuk-kai, director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, a private group. "The Hong Kong people have been robbed of their rights."

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing said it was "unclear" about the ruling.

Hong Kong, a peninsula and group of islands on the southeastern edge of mainland China, was a British territory for 150 years before reverting to the Chinese in 1997. Beijing promised it would allow the region to operate under the principle of "one country, two systems" and a "high degree of autonomy."

The Basic Law is the document that governs those rights for Hong Kong's people, and is administered by the territory's chief executive, the Beijing-appointed Tung Chee-hwa.

Many in Hong Kong see the NPC vote as an attempt to stifle the territory, which enjoys Western-style liberties typically denied on the mainland. Opposition lawmaker James To called the decision "illegal" because it effectively amended the Basic Law without following proper procedures.

Recent actions by Beijing — including its support for an anti-subversion law last year — have led activists in Hong Kong to accuse the Chinese leadership of breaking its promises.

The NPC, in a surprise announcement March 26, said it would rule on the future of Hong Kong's elections by voting on "interpretations" of the territory's mini-constitution.

Tsang Hin-chi, a Hong Kong delegate to the NPC, said the ruling also left open the possibility of a direct election in 2007 and allowed the current system to stay unchanged.

"If the system needs to be changed, it can be changed. But it can also stay the same," Tsang said in remarks carried widely on Hong Kong television and radio. He called the ruling "very mild, very clear."

"I hope people don't oppose it blindly," said Tsang, who is a member of the Standing Committee, the NPC's top legislative panel.

The legislature and government media have touted the interpretation as necessary for the political well-being of Hong Kong and its people.

Qiao said a number of people in Hong Kong were misinterpreting the Basic Law, giving the NPC Standing Committee "no option but to come out and exercise legislative interpretation."

Qiao said that while Hong Kong can "build a bridge" to greater democracy, it must follow China's blueprint. "Otherwise, no one will be able to cross the river," he said.

Even when Hong Kong is allowed to elect its own leader, the nominating committee "will have to be balanced and represent all segments of society," Qiao said.

To, the opposition lawmaker in Hong Kong, predicted a massive backlash, saying that the ruling "will definitely intensify the tension between Hong Kong and the central government."

Last week, the U.S. State Department said it was "seriously concerned that Beijing has decided to issue an interpretation of the Basic Law on this important issue before the Hong Kong people have fully aired the issues."

Citing the 50,000 American citizens who live in Hong Kong and 1,100 U.S. firms that operate there, the State Department said it "strongly supports the Hong Kong people's desire for democracy, electoral reform and universal suffrage in Hong Kong."

"It is important that the people of Hong Kong be permitted to determine the pace and scope of constitutional developments," the department said.