With one voice, parties approve of backdown
They agree the government made the right decision, but are divided over the reasons behind it and what to do next
Politicians and social groups in Hong Kong voiced general approval of the government's withdrawal of the National Security Bill yesterday, but some feared the retreat was part of a wider political strategy.
Members of the pro-democracy camp also said that without full universal suffrage, any attempt to reintroduce legislation banning acts of treason and subversion would revive fears that rights and freedoms would be threatened.
The Democratic Party welcomed the withdrawal, saying it was a victory for the half a million people who took to the streets on July 1. But party chairman Yeung Sum warned that Tung Chee-hwa would reintroduce the same package for a vote once the public sentiment improved.
'We are worried that this is just a delaying tactic until public grievances have been diluted by a better economic atmosphere,' he said.
The party was adamant that the government should defer enacting the national security legislation until the chief executive and the legislature were democratically elected.
Martin Lee Chu-ming suggested co-operating with the Bar Association and the Article 23 Concern Group to produce a white bill based on a 'minimalist' approach, only covering the minimum requirement in the Basic Law.
The Democratic Party said it would initiate talks with the working group for a comprehensive survey on whether the public preferred a white bill and delaying enactment of the bill until universal suffrage had been fully implemented.
Eric Li Ka-cheung, of the Breakfast Group, said the withdrawal was acceptable.
'I think the message is that we are not rushing for another deadline in July. I think this is acceptable. We should concentrate on the economic recovery first,' he said.
He said he had no particular views on whether a white bill should be produced, adding that it would be absurd for anyone to suggest that a draconian bill could be forced through when the economy picked up again. 'This is just a conspiracy theory. The final version will still have to be one that is acceptable to the public,' he said.
Executive Councillor Tsang Yok-sing, leader of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, welcomed the government's move. But he denied that the decision would benefit his party in the upcoming elections.
'The reality is that the original target of the bill's passage on July 9 was not workable. Why don't we say that the government has listened to public opinion and needs to consult more, rather than bowing to pressure?' said Mr Tsang, who is leading a party delegation to visit state leaders in Beijing.
Miriam Lau Kin-yee, vice-chairwoman of the Liberal Party, said her party respected the government's decision, although it believes the bill should not be shelved. She said the future legislative process should be based on the amendments already made.
The Frontier said it was worried that the government was only playing up its strategy in order to help pro-government parties in the upcoming polls. 'Draconian legislation might return after the elections are over,' it said.
Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who has been a vocal critic of the bill, said the government should have withdrawn the bill much earlier in light of public opposition. He said there was a political agenda behind the move, which was to help secure votes for the DAB in the coming elections.
The Hong Kong News Executives Association welcomed another round of consultation, while the Hong Kong Journalists' Association expressed concern that clauses which threaten press freedoms would show up in a future draft.
