Latest congressional report airs concerns about electoral reform and media self-censorship
JENNIFER NGOjennifer.ngo@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Friday, 20 November, 2015, 12:02am
UPDATED : Friday, 20 November, 2015, 12:02am
A general view of the handover ceremony on July 1, 1997 showing the Chinese flag (left) flying after the Union Jack was lowered. Photo: AFP
A US congressional committee has called for a joint US-UK review on whether Beijing has adhered to the Basic Law since the handover in 1997.
The latest report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission also highlighted the city's political turmoil over electoral reform that led to the three months of Occupy protests last year, increasing self-censorship in the media, and the controversy over a key managerial appointment at the University of Hong Kong.
"The commission recommends Congress engage parliamentarians from the United Kingdom in an interparliamentary review of China's adherence to the Basic Law since the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, with specific attention to rule of law, progress in achieving universal suffrage, and press freedom," the report said.
Pro-democracy protesters open their umbrellas during the Occupy Movement in October 2014. Photo: EPA
In the 27 pages that were dedicated to Hong Kong, the annual report said the failure to pass electoral reform set out under Beijing's rigid parameters had led to even more fractured and polarised views on the issue.
"The United States and Hong Kong share many values, including respect for rule of law and for civil liberties," the report stated. "To bolster Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, the US government encourages Beijing and Hong Kong to continue to work together to further Hong Kong's democratic development in accordance with the Basic Law."
It said there had yet to be consensus on how to pursue electoral reform, as Hong Kong would be stuck with its current electoral method for the 2017 chief executive election, in which a committee representing only 0.02 per cent of eligible voters would vote for candidates.
Chris Patten faulted officials for failing to engage student leaders. Photo: AFP
The report also laid out serious concerns over the erosion of press freedom as Beijing wields an "enormous economical and political influence in Hong Kong" and had exerted indirect pressure on the media, leading to more serious self-censorship.
The University of Hong Kong saga - in which its ruling council rejected liberal scholar Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun as pro-vice-chancellor - was "only one example of Beijing's interference in Hong Kong academia".
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Britain's long standing commitment to Hong Kong … is as strong as ever."
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said: "Foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere … in the internal affairs of Hong Kong". The city "has been exercising a high degree of autonomy", which "demonstrates the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle'."
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1880617/us-congressional-committee-calls-us-uk-review-whether