Beijing’s point man for the city has previously drawn the ire of pro-democracy voices and is due for tight security as he tours a politically charged landscape
UPDATED : Tuesday, 17 May, 2016, 9:15am
Zhang Dejiang has a reputation as an iron-fisted enforcer. Photo: Xinhua
Q1. Who is Zhang Dejiang?
Zhang, 69, ranks third on the all-powerful Standing Committee of the Communist Party’s Politburo, just below President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
He chairs the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, and has earned a reputation as an “iron-fisted enforcer”.
Zhang also heads the party’s leading group on Hong Kong and Macau affairs, which comprises the heads of 18 ministries and departments and oversees matters relating to the two special administrative regions.
As China’s top legislator, Zhang was in charge of the NPC’s decision on Hong Kong’s political reform in 2014. The NPC’s decision, issued in August that year, stated that when Hong Kong changed its electoral system to choose its leader by “one man, one vote”, it could only choose from two or three candidates endorsed by a 1,200-member committee – a body dominated by Beijing loyalists and business elites.
Protesters in Mong Kok in 2014. The Occupy movement was ignited by a white paper on Hong Kong’s electoral system issued by the National People’s Congress, led by Zhang. Photo: AFP
The decision triggered the 79-day Occupy movement protests that year, and shaped the Hong Kong government’s reform package, which followed the NPC decision and was voted down last year.
Q2. How far back does his association with Hong Kong go?
Before he was promoted to vice-premier in 2008, Zhang was Guangdong province’s party secretary for six years. During his tenure, he was best-known to Hongkongers for his war of words with several pan-democratic lawmakers when, during a closed-door meeting in 2005, they questioned him on democracy in Hong Kong and the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Q3. Why is he coming, and why is it a big deal?
Zhang’s trip will be the first to Hong Kong by a mainland state leader since President Hu Jintao – Xi Jinping’s predecessor – visited in 2012. Zhang’s tour of the city comes four months ahead of the Legislative Council polls in September, and a year before the chief executive election next March, which will decide whether Leung Chun-ying will lead Hong Kong for another five years.
Democratic Party lawmaker Emily Lau is on the guest list for a banquet to fete Zhang in Hong Kong. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Zhang will arrive in Hong Kong on May 17 for a three-day visit. He will attend a forum on “One Belt, One Road”, China’s trade and development strategy that spans Asia and Eastern Europe, followed by a banquet at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. He is also expected to visit a housing estate and the Science Park.
Four pan-democratic lawmakers – including the Democratic Party’s Emily Lau Wai-hing and health services lawmaker Joseph Lee Kok-long – along with six lawmakers from pro-establishment camp, have been invited to a reception with Zhang before the banquet. It will be the first meeting between pan-democrats and Beijing officials since the two sides met a year ago.
Q4. Will his visit have any impact on the Legco and chief executive elections?
Commentators doubt that Zhang will indicate whether Beijing wants the unpopular chief executive to be re-elected by a 1,200-member committee next year. But that will not stop all eyes from scrutinising Zhang’s every gesture and glance in his interactions with Leung and his potential rivals.
Executive Councillor Regina Ip is also scheduled to meet Zhang during his visit. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Possible candidates for the chief executive race include Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, who is pivotal to developing Hong Kong’s role in “One Belt, One Road”. Another is Executive Councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, one of the lawmakers meeting Zhang on May 18.
It is also possible that Zhang will have a message for the pro-establishment camp’s Legco campaign. Pundits expect competition in the September polls to be the most intense in the city’s history.
Q5. After the Mong Kok riot in February, how will the police ensure Zhang’s safety?
Hong Kong police are mounting an extensive security operation for Zhang, citing the threat of international terrorism and radical localism in the city.
From Tuesday when Zhang arrives, more than 6,000 police officers will be deployed daily to protect him. The risk designation will be raised to “very high” – the maximum level – during Zhang’s three days in the city. Security has even been extended to the top of Lion Rock, where police officers are camped out to prevent protesters from hanging massive banners that could embarrass Zhang.
Groups such as the Civil Human Rights Front are planning to stage protests during Zhang’s visit. To keep them at bay, more than 250 water barriers are being used to cordon off restricted zones, while demonstration zones are to be designated further away than usual. It is unlikely that protesters will be able to see Zhang, the Post has been told.
Major transport arteries, including Harbour Road, will be shut down temporarily whenever Zhang arrives at or leaves the venue.
The deployed manpower is up to three times what was arranged for the visits of a sitting premier and president in recent years, when the risk level was designated “high”.
On July 1, 2012, as Hu Jintao officiated at Leung’s inauguration ceremony, a protester, Ken Tsang Kin-chiu of the Civic Party, was briefly able to chant slogans calling for the central government to reverse its verdict on the pro-democracy Tiananmen movement.
That came a day after a journalist, Rex Hon Yiu-ting, was removed by police from a media area after shouting a question to Hu about the Tiananmen crackdown while the president was visiting the planned Kai Tak cruise terminal.
On August 16, 2011, Hong Kong police were heavily criticised after they arrested a man wearing a June 4 protest T-shirt at Laguna City shortly before Vice-Premier Li Keqiang visited the housing complex. Police also blocked a Now TV camera during the man’s arrest.
Additional Reporting by Christy Leung
When other senior Chinese officials came to town...
2003: Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen toured the city’s areas worst hit by Sars – Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and Amoy Gardens. He attended celebrations for the sixth anniversary of the handover and witnessed the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and the mainland. But he left hours before the 500,000-strong march that forced the government to shelve a national security bill.
Former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa pointing something out to former Chinese premier Wen Jiabao during the latter’s visit to the city in 2003. Photo: SCMP Pictures
“I’m convinced that nothing can stop Hong Kong’s march towards greater prosperity and progress,” Wen said during the visit. “Hong Kong, the glittering pearl of the motherland, will shine even more brilliantly in the future.”
2005: Vice-President Zeng Qinghong
Zeng officiated at the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland and visited Sha Tin racecourse for a presentation on the city’s preparations for hosting the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Former Chinese vice-president Zeng Qinghong visiting Hong Kong Disneyland with former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang at the amusement park’s debut in 2005. Photo: SCMP Pictures
“The joyous Disneyland will become an everlasting carnival for the people of Hong Kong,” he said. “I wholeheartedly hope compatriots in Hong Kong ... work hard to build a more harmonious and prosperous Hong Kong.”
2006: Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Jia Qinglin
Jia visited a Tin Shui Wai public housing family, and witnessed the signing of an agreement granting enhanced access to mainland markets for Hong Kong businesses in 10 sectors.
“No matter what happens, the motherland is always the strong backup force for maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau,” Jia said.
2006: National People’s Congress chairman Wu Bangguo
Wu officiated at the opening of the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecom World 2006 forum.
Former chairman of the National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo shaking hands with former Hong Kong justice minister Elsie Leung during his visit to the city in 2006. Photo: SCMP Pictures
At a welcome banquet, Wu told Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and his ministers to accurately gauge the pulse of Hong Kong as it prepared to hold the 2007 chief executive election.
“Next year is an important one for Hong Kong,” Wu said. “The most important thing is that there will be a chief executive election. We need to consolidate the current robust situation.”
2007: President Hu Jintao
Hu officiated at the city’s ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 1997 handover. He also visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute, where he talked to award-winning athletes and played table tennis with a 13 year old.
Former Chinese president Hu Jintao (standing) with former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang during Hu’s visit to the city in 2007. Photo: SCMP Pictures
“Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong can maintain its uniqueness and advantages, yet it also receives strong backing from the motherland,” Hu said.
2008: Vice-President Xi Jinping
A month before the Beijing Olympics, Xi visited Hong Kong’s equestrian venues in Sheung Shui and Sha Tin, and met local athletes and Olympic volunteers.
“I would like to experience the profound changes Hong Kong has gone through since its reunification with the motherland 11 years ago,” he said. “It is both Hong Kong’s honour and responsibility to co-host the Olympic Games.”
2011: Vice-Premier Li Keqiang
Li announced a raft of more than 30 measures to boost the local economy by encouraging two-way investment and trade between Hong Kong and the mainland and strengthening the city’s role in the yuan’s internationalisation. He also attended the University of Hong Kong’s 100th birthday celebration.
Current Chinese Premier Li Keqiang raising a glass during his visit to Hong Kong in 2011. Photo: Reuters
“The central government will do its utmost to contribute to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,” he said. “The city’s status as a financial centre in Asia and globally is crucial for its development.”
2012: President Hu Jintao
Hu officiated at the inauguration ceremony of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s administration and events marking the 15th anniversary of the 1997 handover.
Hu said: “The people of Hong Kong, from all walks of life, should consider the overall situation to achieve unity under the flag of patriotism.”
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1945670/five-key-questions-about-senior-chinese-official-zhang
