BEHIND HONG KONG'S MINI-COUP

Self | July 8, 2003 | FreepForever

[FreepForever]

China’s new administration under President Hu JinTao and Premier Wen JiaBao is still doing some serious house cleaning to clear the bureaucrat of Jiang Zemin’s cronies. Since Hu and Wen are still in the process of strengthening their own power base, they are trying their best to avoid a direct clash with their rival faction -- Jiang, representing China’s conservative hardliners.

The July 1 half-million march had brought immense pressure on legislators to stand on the people’s side or face an end to their political lifes. James Tian, an important figure in Tung’s cabinet with decisive votes in the Legco to make or break the government, made a lightning visit to Beijing on Friday night. The message he brought back from the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office and Propaganda Department’s Chief the next day is: “Beijing has no timetable on Article 23’s enactment as well as the legislation’s content. It is up to Hong Kong.”

The fact that Tien’s visit was received by medium level officials signifies that Hu, Wen and even Tang JiaShuan are avoiding to meddle with the hot potato, Although the statement is made by medium level officials, the decision and message is from the very top. They just don’t want it to come from their mouths: “The current crises created by the hasty schedule and the extra harsh provisions is not our fault. The whole mayhem is created by Tung’s hardline stance. If you want, go after him. We won’t stop you.”

When James Tien returned from Beijing on Saturday, his entire Liberal party switched side to fully back the Democrats which later leads to Tien’s resignation from Tung’s cabinet -- the Executive Council. Tien is publicly hailed as a hero but actually it is his only choice to cut loss which could lead to the collapse of his party.

Tien’s resignation is, in effect, a death warrant of Tung’s administration, signed by Beijing. It triggers the imminent internal power meltdown of Tung’s government with small talks of his officials’ resignation all over the media, back streets and even the stock market.

All eyes are on Beijing’s movement in this crises. Actually Hu’s administration has three options. First, they can support Hong Kong’s plea for a more democratic reform. This will definitely draw fire from Jiang’s faction. This is a big no in China’s internal politics.

Second, they can stand firm against Hong Kong’s plea and directly put themselves in the fire line of the territory’s majority. Will the Hu administration gamble their hard earned political points to save Tung’s office, which a down fall is a foregone conclusion? Wen had won some very impressive response in his blitz visit to Hong Kong in a series of “hearts-and-minds” operation. Why risk our own skin to save Jiang Zemin’s man?

Third, they can simply do nothing and hang Tung’s precious skin out to dry -- throw Tung to the dogs. From all tell-tale signs, this is the route that Hu’s administration had chosen -- the easiest and costless way out. They just have to recite the Basic Law like a parrot and repeat their plea of not meddling in HK affairs under the “one country, two systems” framework. No one in China can criticize them for going by the book. And, he will win applause from Hong Kong citizen for abiding by the Basic Law to stay out of Hong Kong business. By doing nothing, he can already walk out from the crises as a winner and killed two birds with one stone. This master’s touch is not just a smart maneuver, it is Hu’s only choice.

Of course, there are other factors that helped Beijing to make that decision. Hong Kong banking sector’s key figure, Lee Kwok Po’s visit to Beijing, meanwhile, didn’t bring back any message from Chinese official, meaning that his trip is more a person-to-person complaint filing exercise than a direction finding process. However, a complaint from such an important figure gripping Hong Kong’s bloodline is surely not to be ignored by Beijing. Lee Kwok Pro had helped Beijing to conclude that Tung’s administration is not worth to salvage.

[FreepForever]

I want to thank all you Freepers who have offered me much needed inspiration, support and prayers. You are my food and strength in making all these possible. Yes, we have made history. And every one of you are part of it.

A deep bow from Hong Kong to all Freepers. We owe you our freedom and democracy

FreepForever

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[Pan_Yans Wife]

Bless you.

[FreepForever]

A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!

[tet68]

I love Hong Kong, wish I could go back.

Star Ferry Bump.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #4

If Tung is pushed out, who do you think would take his place?

[FreepForever]

Ha, No clue at all. There are lots of talks in Hong Kong's streets and definitely in serious discussion behind Beijing's Forbidden City too.

There is still some time for them to make the decision. If Tung steps down, like faking a stroke and forced to resign on medical advise to save face, he will be succeeded temporarily by the Chief of Staff, Donald Tsang -- The only left over official from British rule. He is well loved by Hong Kong’s citizen.

However, according to the Basic Law, Tsang’s acting term can only be 6 months maximum and Beijing will have to rig another so called "election". And, everything is possible.

[FreepForever]

If you ever come back, come back to a FREE Hong Kong. See you at Star Ferry. I mean it.

[risk]

You're welcome, but you and your fellow HK patriots did it all. I must say you are just beginning if you want full freedom. The world won't be safe until democracy reigns across Asia.

[yonif]

bump. Haven't been to Hong Kong, but lived in communist Beijing for 2 years.

[FreepForever]

Dear risk: I fully agree with your assessment. But I haven't had a decent hot meal since June 25 when we started this mini bloodless revolution. Tonight, I will eat some chicken rice, recharge my depleted battery, get some much neededsleep and ready for the continuous struggle for our sustained freedom. What I need is your continuous support and prayers.
FF

[Quix]

Still praying.

God's best to each of you.

May all the evil corrupt officials fall in their own deep and ugly pits.

[risk]

>>>> What I need is your continuous support and prayers.

We'll try, but we know that it is you and your fellow Chinese who are bravely risking everything. You all are such an inspiration. You offer hope for the entire human race. It is we who should be thanking you.

[Cacique]

I was last in Hong Kong in 1991. It was still British then. Even then you could sense that people were nervous about the looming change.

[FreepForever]

Thanks, risk and Quix. risk's words made me flush.

Everyone who had participated in the half-million march on July 1 is a hero. The mass turnout had enforced everybody's confident and threatened to surround the Council building where the horrible bill will be passed on July 9. This forced the government to back down and triggers it's meltdown as we are witnessing now.

[risk]

>>>> This forced the government to back down and triggers it's meltdown as we are witnessing now.

I think it's time for you to eat some hot food and rest, because when you've had some time to think about things, you'll realize that Beijing will have some surprises for you before you know it. This is a chess game and you need to start thinking 2-3 moves ahead of them. What will they do to undermine the strengths you used during this incident? What physical threats will they introduce into your environment? What psychological threats? What legal steps will they consider.

Each possibility is something you can address. Never give up. Always keep searching for several solutions for each problem. A passion for freedom and your faith are on your side. There is nothing more powerful than the human will to be free. Chains and bars are temporary obstacles. Laws are invisible. Threats are fleeting.

I guess all of this is easy for me to say because I'm protected by the sacrifices of many Americans who have died to obtain and protect my freedom. But yours is coming too, maybe sooner than we think.

[FreepForever]

risk, re#16, you are very forward looking. In fact, they have done everything that you have predicted. You should become a member of our think tank.I will seek your advise in our future operations. Can I?

Tung hinted that Beijing will not give HK the kind of economic support and commercial favoritism if we press too hard, hoping that this would rally support from business sectors to save his government. He even threatens those who don’t support him will not get their business license approved by Beijing.

But no one listen to him. Even Standard & Poor issued a statement hours ago saying Tung’s fading-away or stepping down will favor HK’s economic revival. Another nail on his coffin.

I did think ahead of him. I have reversed Tung’s tactic and use it against the goverment’s left factions in HK. I will start a media blitz appealing to the Beijing government that we have nothing against the Central government. Half a million marched in HK but not one single anti-China slogan is a solid proof. Anti-left movements in Hong Kong is not necessarily anti-China. There are anti-left and moderate factions in China too. They don’t have to be paranoid that our movement will spread to mainland. We even appeal to them to work together with us to build a democratic Hong Kong and make the one-country two-system concept a true success which will benefit them too in luring foreign investments. If they allow us that, everyone will become a patriot and support the Central government. Don’t they want to see that? This campaign will reduce friction with Beijing and eliminated their excuse to become an obstacle to our drive towards democracy. They don’t have to do anything, they just have to listen to reason. I hope you won’t accuse me of dealing with the Satan but for the time being, this is the only way to prevent a blood bath and major crack down. I cannot forgive myself for pushing my people towards that.

[The Pheonix]

We salute the brave people of Hong Kong

We say, "stand firm ,brothers and sisters..."

"Long live Democrasy, long live Freedom, Long live liberty...'

Keep the flames (and hopes) Alive.....

[NewCenturions]

Triumph for Hong Kong Bump!

[Quix]

YEA!

The prayer time a week ago from last Sunday night was very powerful. The anointing was heavy and the people were heart-felt and earnest in their prayers for HK.

I have every confidence that such aided your efforts in HK.

PRAISE GOD.