Martin Lee Chu-ming's article, 'Two systems, one destiny', is misleading to those not familiar with the detailed provisions of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, or with the circumstances under which they were formulated.
The article, published on these pages on August 1, gave the impression that the 'one country, two systems' concept of Deng Xiaoping and its legal provisions are not being followed, and that the democratisation process has been 'postponed'.
Mr Lee, the former chairman of the Democratic Party, wrote that the people who joined the demonstration on July 1 'turned history back towards its intended direction. Remember that when Deng first announced in 1982 that Hong Kong people would rule Hong Kong for 50 years with a high degree of autonomy under 'one country, two systems', he was already opening the China market to the outside world. Soon, he would get rid of communism.'
In fact, China did not open its market to the outside world in 1982. China had just started market reform and by that time had introduced, in limited ways, wage and price reforms. Investments in manufacturing were allowed; however, all products had to be exported. 'Opening the China market to the outside world' did not take place until at least 10 years later.
As for getting rid of communism, the demonstrators had many grievances, but I have not yet heard of anyone targeting communism. If Mr Lee honestly believes that this was the message of the July 1 protest, he should have made it clear before the march.
Mr Lee's references to the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law on the process of democratisation in Hong Kong are also incomplete and misleading. Both documents state: 'The chief executive will be appointed by the central people's government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally.' Hence, in terms of international obligations and constitutional arrangements, the appointment of the chief executive without any form of elections, let alone universal franchise, is allowed.
Then there is the authority of appointment. As the Basic Law now stands, 'the chief executive shall be ... appointed by the central people's government'. So this power of appointment is not merely ceremonial.