su-bboards
People's democracy vs. democracy
Excerpt from November 25 Stanford Daily story

Peking Warning Jars Hong Kong

Hong Kong - In recent days, Hong Kong has been jolted by a warning
that China will try to stop the development of a democratic form
of government in the British colony during the transition period
before it reverts to Chinese rule in 1997.

China's senior representative in Hong Kong, Xu Jiatun, told a
Thursday press conference that his govermnet does not want to
see any "radical changes" in this East Asian financial center
over the next 12 years.  He indicated that current efforts to
develop an elected legislature in Hong Kong could have what he
calls "damaging effects".

A.P. story

a086  0904  25 Nov 85
PM-Hong Kong Reforms, Adv 03,0635
$adv03
For Release PMs Tues Dec. 3 or Thereafter
China Worried about Demands for Political Reforms in Hong Kong
By TSE PUI SHAN
Associated Press Writer
    HONG KONG (AP) - Officials of mainland China have expressed concern
about demands for direct elections and other political reforms in
Hong Kong, which reverts to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
    The demands arose after limited elections were held in September for
24 of the 56 seats on the Legislative Council. The remaining 32 seats
were filled by appointment by the British colonial government.
    The voting was limited to semi-government and professional groups,
representing less than 1 percent of Hong Kong's 5.4 million people.
    The balloting was devised as part of the process of preparing for
the turnover of Hong Kong to Peking, after a century of British rule.
    Peking has promised to retain Hong Kong's capitalist system for 50
years beyond 1997 and that Hong Kong will be a Chinese Special
Administrative Region administered by its own residents.
    Since the September elections, several groups have been demanding
more drastic changes. Some have called for direct elections with
universal suffrage, a suggestion that has been interpreted as a move
for greater local autonomy than Peking had agreed to in its pact sign
with Britain.
    These groups have expressed a belief that strong democratic
institutions in Hong Kong will discourage China from interfering in
local affairs should it renege on its promise to allow Hong Kong
residents to govern the territory.
    Ji Pengfei, director of China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office
in Peking, has repeatedly expressed his concern about the demands to
Hong Kong delegations visiting the Chinese capital.
    ''After Hong Kong's sovereignty is reverted to China, the most
important feature is that Hong Kong must not become an independent
country,'' Ji told one delegation. ''It will only be a Special
Administrative Region practicing capitalism under the leadership of a
socialist China.''
    Hong Kong, Ji added, is now in a crucial transitional period.
    ''In this period, we must avoid the emergence of any unnecessary
chaos that may affect a smooth transfer of sovereignty and the
materialization of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong after 1997.''
    He said any political reforms must be consistent with the Basic Law,
a constitutional document for the post-1997 era now being drafted by
China and Hong Kong representatives.
    Hong Kong's left-wing press has supported Ji's views, stressing that
Britain's responsibility is to return power directly to China rather
than to a Hong Kong electorate.
    The Hong Kong government has been cautious in its reaction to the
developments and has said it will wait until 1987 to decide what
further steps should be taken toward a more representative
government.
    ''I think a lot of people are worried that we should not go too fast
and, in fact, we should not go too fast,'' said Chief Secretary David
Akers-Jones, Hong Kong's second-ranked government official after Gov.
Edward Youde.
    ''I think if we were seen to be doing things hastily and without
consideration, then it may slow down economic development,'' he told
reporters.
    Akers-Jones added that he does not believe a majority of Hong Kong
residents are keen on direct elections.
    ''They don't want change for change's sake or any particular form of
change for change's sake,'' he said. ''We've got one of the most
prosperous economies in Asia. We've got to keep it that way because
our social programs, all our programs, depend on it.''
    Some residents have voiced their own concerns about any drastic
reforms, such as ''one man, one vote.'' This sector maintains such
reforms could pose problems, especially if those elected to governing
assemblies are supporters of Taiwan, seat of the Chinese Nationalist
government which was defeated on the China mainland by the Communists
in 1949.
End Adv PMs Tues Dec. 3 or Thereafter
    
AP-NY-11-25-85 1203EST
 - - - - - -

a090  0916  25 Nov 85
PM-Advance Advisory,0042
    The following advances moved this cycle:
    HONG KONG - Hong Kong Reforms, a086, for Dec. 3
    WASHINGTON - Capital Ideas, a081, for Nov. 26
    NEW YORK - Business Mirror, a089, for Nov. 26
    The AP
    
AP-NY-11-25-85 1215EST
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