Statement on NPC Resolution for Hong Kong Political Reform by Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Sunday, August 31, 2014 released its resolution on Hong Kong political reform, revealing a plan to hand over the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to an election committee, while limiting the number of candidates to two or three. The plan also said the candidate must win half of the members of the election committee.
This resolution ignores the planned popular election in Hong Kong in 2017, thus providing a guarantee for the Communist Party of China to control the election of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China strongly condemns this denial of democracy and breach of its own promise by the Communist regime, and therefore is calling for all forces at home and abroad for further actions.
This resolution is not the first time for the Communist regime to have violated the Basic Law of Hong Kong, and the Joint Declaration between China and the United Kingdom. Back in June, the State Council issued a white paper on the Hong Kong issue, distorting the definition of important principles like “One Country Two Systems”, and “Hong Kong Rule by Hong Kong People” with the “comprehensive Governance” over Hong Kong by the Central Government.
In the August 31 resolution, the Communist regime has gone further, totally manipulating the legal procedure and denying the initial promise to have popular election of the Chief Executive in 2017. The resolution even shuts down the channel of citizen nomination.
To sell its resolution, the Communist regime has demonized the democracy movement by fabricating evidence that Hong Kong democratic citizen groups have colluded with foreign forces. The regime has falsely labeled these groups as “pro-independence Hong Kong elements.” The regime has even threatened to take up measures to crack down the democratic movement.
All of these actions by the Communist regime show to the whole world the darkness of authoritarian rule. It shows that the regime continues to crack down, despite claiming that it will benefit locals with its stability. At its core, the regime has never intended to surrender its authoritarian rule. This has happened again and again, not only in Hong Kong, but also in Tibet, and Xin Jiang.
For the Hong Kong chief executive, the Communist regime is unwilling to hold a free and democratic election , which has been regarded as a challenge to its rule.
We must take aggressive and strong action to counteract this. We cannot afford to expect a compromise from the Communist regime on the Hong Kong issue. We must initiate the development agenda in the interest of the Hong Kong, and as a push from mainland democracy.
Though Hong Kong is ruled by the authoritarian regime, it maintains a certain degree of free press and speech, with growing political parties, and the rights to protest. All of these factors have provided some room for democratic movement. It could make it an experiment for the rest of China to develop democracy. Every tiny step of progress in Hong Kong can be an inspiration for mainland China’s democratic movement.
Hong Kong’s political development over the past few decades has proved that it cultivated a tradition of freedom for civil society. The average residents of Hong Kong have strong desire for democracy and accept the legitimacy of open election of their Chief Executive. Democratic groups originated from the June 4, 1989 democratic movement, and have grown and matured after Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, emerging into democratic parties. As a British colony, Hong Kong inherited the British spirit of rule of law, free thoughts and outstanding civil servants. Therefore, the whole will and appeal of Hong Kong residents shall be concentrated and mobilized. We believe that through effective organization, we can unite all residents who long for democracy in Hong Kong to trumpet our resistance and opposition to the authoritarian regime of the Communist Party in China.
Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China will take on supporting activities following the development of Hong Kong politics. We therefore call for individuals from all walks of like to support Hong Kong residents in their fight for democracy, and offer various forms of assistance. Today we help develop democracy in Hong Kong in the interests and well-bing of Hong Kong people, as well as to keep seeds and flames for the future of a democratic China, and therefore being a key part of the global civilization.
Contact:
Jianli Yang
857-472-9039
yangjianli001@gmail.com
Lianchao Han
703-851-8334
lianchao@gmail.com
Jianying Wang
202-677-0209
josephdcwang@gmail.com