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Lessons 'Take a lesson from the election for Chief Executive, Supervise the election for Hongkong Representatives to the NPC.'

This is a translation of an opinion piece which was first published in the 13 November 1997 issue of the Hong Kong Chinese-language daily, Ming Pao. http://www.mingpao.com/newspaper/971113/mr001.htm Nominating candidates for Hongkong representatives to the National People's Congress started today. Since the return of Hongkong, this is the first time an independent group of Hongkongers will join the NPC. But the delegates to the NPC will be elected from a small group of 400 people, and such an election process could not possibly reflect a democratic spirit. Even so, Hongkongers should still try to pay close attention and supervise this election, in order to advance the development of democracy in Hongkong and China. The National People's Congress is China's highest rule-making body. After Hongkong returned home to China, Hongkongers became citizens of the People's Republic of China, and should rightfully participate in the affairs of government policy. But obstructed by the 'you mind your own business, and I'll mind mine' principle under 'one China two systems', Hongkongers cannot directly participate in affairs of domestic government policy. Given this, the NPC has become the Hongkong people's only legal channel for conveying their opinions on important national issues. Hongkong is within China's society the richest territory in terms of freedom and the spirit of rule by law. Previous Hongkong representatives to the People's Congress were regarded as a relatively outspoken and daring group, and hereafter it should be expected that Hongkong representatives will be able to make even more contributions to China's democracy and system of law. Of greater importance to Hongkong is that the NPC has embraced Hongkong's mini-constitution---interpretating the "Basic Law" and amending it, and matters concerning other Hongkong laws, must all pass through NPC preparatory committees for approval. Under such a situation, whether or not Hongkong representatives will be able to convey the true opinions of Hongkongers, will have a direct bearing on the entire well-being of Hongkong's society. Suppose one were to say that previous Hongkong representatives to the NPC were by all measures mere targets of Beijing's United Front, and likewise from today onward they would be acting more or less as tools in a political role of real significance. Therefore, when casting their ballots, the gentlemen at the election conference would be expected only to consider the fundamental interests of Hongkong and our nation, adopting an attitude of choosing neither for self interest nor for party and electing only a competent person as a Hongkong representative. But electing representatives to the NPC should not be a way to divide the spoils, and all efforts should be expended to avoid the illicit trading of NPC-representative titles among a small group of power holders. Included from Hongkong should be representatives from different political power bases. This would permit the election of NPC representatives who could possess a wide-ranging and broadly democratic foundation. Because the 36 representatives will become the mouthpieces for 6 million Hongkongers, the most rudimentary characteristic for those undertaking to be a representative should be that of a gentleman who speaks frankly and boldly, certainly not that of one who is like a political flower vase which holds the job without doing anything. Even more so , the person should not be a creature obsequiously echoing the Chief Executive's views. There is no denying the fact that the manner for producing this group of representatives is lacking in public participation and does not conform to the expectations of Hongkong's people. According to explanations of those persons concerned in Beijing, this is a matter of expedience owing to the tight time frame, and subsequent elections would be conducted differently. But if Beijing were able to promise publicly that Hongkong NPC representatives would henceforth be directly elected, this would help improve how Hongkongers view the NPC. As for this election, all efforts should be expended in making the process more transparent. For example, in order to provide the public with a greater understanding of the candidates, it would not be enough only to print introductory synopses of each candidate and distribute them to the members of the election conference. Rather, the public should be well informed. Moreover, right now there are independent candidates preparing to publicize their campaign platform, and this is a good way to make a worthy point. Now that representatives to the NPC are spokesman for Hongkong's people, it is imperative that the public both understand their political attitudes and ability to question the government, and understand how they are preparing to work for Hongkong's people and what they will do on their behalf. In so doing, the public will know after the last ballot has been cast whether the body will truly be the public's representatives, or merely represent the vested interests from their own small group. To sum up, only by placing the process for electing NPC candidates under the public's supervision, and by suffusing as much democratic colour as possible into this undemocratic election, would then a means most in accordance with the well-being of the majority of Hongkong's people be at hand. The process and outcome of electing the SAR's Chief Executive has been relatively good preparation for many people. From their experience in 'electing' the Chief Executive, they have been able to draw a clear lesson and therefore appreciate how worthy the responsibility and opportunity it would be to participate directly in electing representatives to the National People's Congress.