The fight for universal suffrage in 2017
Emily Lau says that universal suffrage must encompass people's right to stand for election and, as such, the nominating committee for the next chief executive poll must be broadly representative. Tam Yiu-chung, meanwhile, argues that any plans for democratic development that do not have Beijing's approval will fail, and it is Hong Kong that will pay the price
Earlier this month, the founding chairman of the Democratic Party, Martin Lee Chu-ming, stunned the community by proposing a mechanism for screening candidates of the chief executive election in 2017. He suggested at least five candidates be allowed to stand in the election which will be by universal suffrage, hoping this would ensure a member from the pro-democracy camp can compete.
His proposal was welcomed by the pro-Beijing camp but criticised by members of the pro-democracy lobby, because they do not think universal suffrage should include a mechanism for screening candidates. The following day, Lee withdrew his proposal and apologised for being reckless. He said he had not discussed it with the democratic camp and should not have said the proposal was his bottom line.
Hong Kong people have been fighting for universal suffrage for several decades and are losing patience. Many do not believe Beijing will allow the special administrative region to have democracy as long as China is governed by a one-party dictatorship. Although the Basic Law said the chief executive shall be selected by consultation or election, Beijing insisted political development should be by gradual and orderly progress.
In 2010, the Democratic Party supported political reforms for 2012, which added 10 members to the Legislative Council and 400 members to the Election Committee that picks the chief executive. This was not universal suffrage but because of this step forward, Beijing gave Hong Kong people the undertaking that the chief executive will be elected by universal suffrage in 2017, and after that, all Legco members will also be so elected.
Since Leung Chun-ying was elected chief executive by the 1,200-member Election Committee last year, many people have urged his government to begin public consultation on direct election of the chief executive in 2017, but to no avail. Last month, the chairman of the National People's Congress Law Committee, Qiao Xiaoyang, summoned pro-Beijing Legco members to Shenzhen and told them that the chief executive would be elected by universal suffrage in 2017 but the candidates must love China and love Hong Kong, and must not confront Beijing.
According to the Basic Law, the selection of the chief executive by universal suffrage would be upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.
Thus, a lot depends on how the nominating committee is chosen. If it is elected by universal and equal suffrage, its power to impose limitations on the nomination of candidates may be more acceptable.
