I write to express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the views in your editorial on Hong Kong (2 December). First, Occupy Central is in no way “peaceful protest”. It is a farce that is against the purpose of democracy and jeopardises the rule of law. Months of blocking artery streets and putting government buildings under siege are neither democracy nor freedom. They are illegal activities that amount to a political trifle and disturb the social order. Most people in Hong Kong have a clear understanding about this. So does China’s central government and the government of Hong Kong.
Second, Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China after its return. Its affairs are solely China’s internal affairs. Britain has no sovereignty, no right of administration or supervision, and no moral obligation towards Hong Kong. By proceeding with political reform in accordance with the relevant decisions of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress on the election of Hong Kong chief executive in 2017 and the basic law, Hong Kong will, for the first time in history, witness election of the chief executive through one man one vote. That will be a historic step in Hong Kong’s democracy. The Chinese government firmly opposes interference in its domestic affairs by any foreign government, institution or individual. The House of Commons foreign affairs committee’s visit to Hong Kong (Report, 3 December) is an interference in China’s domestic affairs. China is firmly opposed to it and will never accept it.
Third, democracy is not a patent of the west. All countries have the right to choose the political system and development path suited to their national conditions. China is endeavouring to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. It is willing to listen to well-intentioned and constructive suggestions and proposals from all sides. To lecture China like a schoolmaster and with a sense of superiority is not acceptable. China is a staunch force for world peace and development, which now contributes to nearly 30% of the world economic growth and 50% to Asia’s economic growth. Its development will bring more opportunities to other countries. A peaceful, prosperous, stable and growing China will always be a positive force in the international community.
Miao Deyu
Spokesman of the Chinese embassy
• Mary Dejevsky (Opinion, 2 December) is wrong to swallow the Chinese line that what happens in Hong Kong is China’s internal affair in which Britain has no legitimate interest. The Sino-British joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong, under which Hong Kong was returned to China, is an international treaty registered at the UN. Hong Kong was returned to China against the wishes of its people and the obligations placed on China by the declaration were the reassurance intended to make the transfer acceptable. Britain has a moral duty as well as a legal right to speak out when those obligations are broken.
It is also untrue that Britain’s influence in Hong Kong died in 1997. It is precisely because of Britain’s continuing influence that the Chinese government, always paranoid about opposition, has stopped the British MPs from entering, just as it has repeatedly stopped former Tian An Men Square student leader Wang Dan, now based in the US. What happens to freedom in Hong Kong is important for the future of the world. China’s totalitarian system of economic development behind a massive firewall of censorship is not compatible with democratic values, but is gaining worldwide support, from Sri Lanka to Ethiopia to Hungary.
The battle of ideas between the two systems is being fought out in Hong Kong. That is why the fight of the Hong Kong democrats is our fight too.
Paul Harris
Founding chairman, Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
