| 'Not all pan-democrats are unpatriotic' Eddie Luk Monday, July 21, 2014
The patriotic clause was made clear yesterday by National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang when he met pro-establishment leaders from the Liberal Party, New People's Party and Business and Professionals Alliance as well as some Basic Law Committee members in Shenzhen. But Zhang also said that not all pan- democrats are considered unpatriotic. The meeting was seen as Beijing's attempt to lobby the moderates five days after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying submitted his report on political reforms. It also comes ahead of a decision on reform by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, expected late next month. It is believed Beijing is also keen to hold talks with moderate pan-democrats as any legislation on reform requires a two-thirds majority in the Legislative Council. Local pan-democratic parties have not yet been approached to meet Zhang while the Democratic Party said it is willing to discuss reforms with Beijing. Zhang yesterday met separately with Liberal Party leaders James Tien Pei-chun and Selina Chow Liang Shuk- yee, the New People's Party's Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Michael Tien Puk- sun and Business and Professionals Alliance lawmakers, including Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen. Unlike previously, Ip and Michael Tien did not answer reporters' questions and left the scene after meeting Zhang. Also at the meetings were Basic Law Committee director Li Fei and the director of the central government liaison office, Zhang Xiaoming. Speaking after the meeting, James Tien quoted Zhang Dejiang as saying that not all pan-democrats were considered to be unpatriotic, adding that Beijing is committed to implementing universal suffrage in 2017. He told them there are many international standards and it will be difficult to implement those standards in Hong Kong. He also said Occupy Central would affect Hong Kong's economy. Tien said they did not have time to discuss whether civil nominations would be accepted by Beijing. "Zhang told us clearly that the important bottom line cannot change, including sticking to the Basic Law and the chief executive must be a person who loves the country and Hong Kong," James Tien said. Tien said he had conveyed the business sector's concerns about Occupy Central. "We felt that Occupy Central will hit Hong Kong's economy and tarnish Hong Kong's international image," he said. NPC Standing Committee member Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai quoted Zhang as saying that democratic development should be pursued step by step. Fan said there is still room for refining the electoral arrangement after the implementation of universal suffrage in the 2017 chief executive election. Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said even if Beijing rejects civil nominations, any proposal must comply with international standards. Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing said it is complicated to arrange for pan-democrats to meet Beijing officials in the mainland to discuss political reform as they may have other ideas about going there. Andrew Leung said Occupy Central would not put pressure on Beijing. The meetings in Shenzhen were held a day after Zhang met with Leung Chun-ying to discuss his report on political development. Leung said Zhang had stressed Beijing will continue to uphold "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy. Zhang is expected to meet with leaders of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Federation of Trade Unions today. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=147524&sid=42656695&con_type=1&d_str=20140721&fc=1 |
July 21, 2014
Not all pan-democrats are unpatriotic
