BY threatening to overturn election laws passed without its consent and to replace the legislature with its own bodies, and thereby oust the representatives that Hong Kong people would choose to run their affairs, China has once again displayed its disregard for the rule of law and its disrespect for the people's freedom of choice.
A government exists in civil society, to safeguard an individual's property rights, freedom and liberty.
Hong Kong people have long been deprived of their opportunity to shape their own government and their own future. Historical circumstances and cultural traditions fostered a reluctance to be involved with government. Given the takeover in 1997, Hong Kongpeople might be tempted to refrain from political agitation in order to protect themselves.
But it would be naive to believe that Hong Kong could sustain economic prosperity without political freedom. It has prospered, because the British Hong Kong Government established a rule of law which defines and protects individual rights. The degree of freedom that people now enjoy in the territory is rivalled by no other Asian society.
The future sovereign lacks the benevolent track record of the British. China's respect for the rule of law is deplorable; that for individual rights rueful. China's penchant for tight political control in Hong Kong will undercut the rule of law, which inturn will breed corruption and political favouritism, resulting in a soured business climate that harms the economy. Ultimately, Hong Kong people must seek better means to protect their political as well as economic freedom.
Mr Patten is correct when he said in his first Opening Address to Legco 14 months ago that, '' . . . we must make possible the widest democratic participation by the people of Hong Kong in the running of their own affairs''. Through the ability to chooserepresentatives in the legislature, and ideally executive officials as well, popular election is one way for people in a civil society to express their preference, and consent for their government.
