Ma Lik's coffin to be draped in national flag
Beijing has granted permission for the coffin of Ma Lik, late chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, to be draped in the national flag at his funeral, in a sign of recognition of his contribution to the country.
The announcement came as the party prepared to open its doors to the public to pay tribute to Ma, a directly elected legislator and local deputy to the National People's Congress, who died of cancer last week.
Condolence books will be open during office hours at the DAB's headquarters in Fortress Hill, the party's 18 district branches and at Ma's district offices from today until August 22. The party is also considering setting up a charitable fund in memory of Ma, a DAB source said.
The DAB's acting chairman, Tam Yiu-chung, received confirmation from Beijing that Ma's coffin could be draped in the flag, a party spokesman said.
Other leading Beijing loyalists have had their coffins draped with the national flag. They include Henry Fok Ying-tung, a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Lee Chark-tim, a former chief of the Federation of Trade Unions and NPC delegate. However, another NPC deputy, Raymond Wu Wai-yung, was not given the privilege.
China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said there were no firm rules regarding the use of the national flag in funerals. 'The point is whether China recognises your contribution. Ma has long years of service and his contribution is definitely recognised by Beijing,' he said.
