Benson Wai-kwok Wong

Postdoctoral Fellow

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

“One Country, Two Systems”: A Decadal Reflection from a Local Perspective

2

Outline

1. Introduction

2. China VS Hong Kong

3. Nature of the PRC rule in Hong Kong

4. Tung Chee-hwa administration

5. Donald Tsang administration

6. Conclusion

3

Introduction

The optimistic view on “1 Country, 2 Systems” (1C2S) from pro-establishment sector

View this political experiment from a local, not Beijing, perspective

Presence of inconsistencies and misunderstanding between Beijing and HK

4

China/HK, which is better?

Tung CH: HK is better, motherland will be better, and vice versa. Is it valid? Historical perspective: HK’s takeoff VS China’s

chaos Anti-communist syndrome:

PRC’s authoritarian rule Political campaigns since 1949, notably the Cultural

Revolution (1966-76) The 1967 Riot in HK Tiananmen Square Protests (1989)

Economic prosperity diverted political worries of some HKers?

5

Nature of PRC rule in HK [i]

1. Covert influence through Tung’s subservience and conformity

2. The discourse of an “economic” city: depoliticizing HK

Utilizing HK’s economic strength to contribute to the motherland (1980s)

Devaluing economic value after the Asian Financial Crisis + increasing economic might of PRC = weakening its political role (after 1997)

3. Legitimatizing the hegemony by the use of political slogans: prosperity, stability and harmony

6

Nature of PRC rule in HK [ii]

4. Understanding of HK is based on misunderstanding and misperception: result of burying the past

5. Guoqing education: Tse: National integration > self-governance Nationalism and patriotism: cultural heritage,

historical root, economic growth and science and technology advances (yet cover up the political practices and social problems)

Instrumental nationalism/patriotism?

7

Tung administration [i]

1. Lacked the administrative experiences and leadership capacities

Personal diligence =/= political wisdom

2. Lacked a definite and an efficient proposal to take the deep-rooting economic problems

Housing problems (85,000 estate policy) Need the support of real estate developers Disarticulation between Tung and civil servants

in the policy-making arena

8

Tung administration [ii]

3. Lacked a sustainable and detailed schedule to fulfill his ambition

CyberPort, flower plantation, Chinese medicine, biochemistry, tourism in North Lantau, fashions, entertainment

4. Political appointment of pro-Beijing elites into the advisory/consultative committees (serve as “public” opinion)

5. “Old and Stupid” Tung: Old: colonial political vision of the 1960s and 70s Stupidity: political naivety (Jiang Jiemin’s unconditional

support)

9

Tung administration [iii]

6. Failed to serve as a bridge between HKers and the central authorities

Reinterpreting the Basic Law Enacting Art. 23 of the Basic Law Beijing authorities discrete when, how, how far

democratization could be taken, and interpret the subsequent policies according to their political interests

7. Jiang JM: Tung = 1C2S?8. 2003: A year of significance

SARS Enacting Art, 23 of the Basic Law July 1 rally: Both Tung and Central authorities shocked

10

Tsang administration [i]

1. Stepping down of Jiang and rise of Hu Tung’s departure

2. Tsang: a pragmatic choice His administrative experience, popularity, “strong

governance”

3. PRC: Saved HK economically: CEPA, Individual Free Visit, …

4. A “competitive” CE election: Tsang’s promise to unfold democratization was hampered by Wu Bangguo,

confirming the Beijing orchestration in the backstage for local political developments

11

Tsang administration [ii]

5. Authorities ignore the drastic changes of HK’s politics and society

Vibrancy of civil society The effectiveness of Internet Spontaneous social movements E.g., The demolition of Star Ferry &

Queen Pier

12

Tsang administration [iii]

6. Revitalization of 1C2S under Tsang? Basic misunderstanding of 1C2S persists HK people ruling HK

What kind of HKers? How to rule HK?

High autonomy is tarnished by sovereignty

13

Conclusion [i]

1. Does the PRC genuinely believe “1C2S”?

2S are as a means to achieve 1C? Politically, the socialist system overrides

the capitalist system? “over”-interpretation of the Basic Law

according to the designed political purposes: dominant & manipulative?

14

Conclusion [ii]

2. The ultimate outcome of 1C2S Politically, the capitalist system would transfer

into the socialist system (soft authoritarianism?) Economically, the increasing dependency on

China constitutes an obstacle to HK’s democratization?

A tug-of-war between authoritarian regime and civil society

In case of being violated the core values (human rights, freedom and liberties), HKers would define them by taking the tangible and consistent actions unintentionally drive local democratization

15

End of Presentation

Questions, comments and suggestions welcome!