DIRECT ELECTION IS DIRECT ELECTION, 1-7-2013 (Based on a previous post) Joseph WW Chan, LLB(Hons), LLM, LLM, MCIArb, IAMA Accredited Mediator (Australia) 認可調解員, President of Hong Kong Institute of Community Mediation (HKICMe) 香港社區調解學會, jwwc2002@yahoo, © Joseph WW Chan, all rights reserved 版權所有 Happy Public Holiday ! A few months ago, on 29 March 2013, Professor Larry Diamond of Stanford University was reported by Ming Pao Newspaper of Hong Kong to have commented on the discussions on the proposed direct election of the Hong Kong Chief Executive. Professor Diamond was quoted saying ‘It may be universal suffrage in the superficial sense, but it is not equal suffrage (one person, one vote) because a small minority will decide who can run, and that small group can veto the entry of any serious alternative.’ CHINA TODAY There is no doubt that the present Constitution of the People’s Republic of China is a socialist constitution. The PRC Constitution is socialist and also autocratic as expressed by Article 1 of the Constitution. This is a constraint on the political development of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). But as a SAR, there seems to be some leeway for a less conservative reform of the political system of Hong Kong SAR. The past 30 years of economic success strengthens the confidence of Chinese leaders in Beijing that there is a workable Chinese style of politics and economics despite the progress of globalisation of ideas prompted by the internet. FACING THE WORLD The effects of globalisation count, even for a small country in any part of the globe. China today is now competing on the international scene with countries like the US and Russia. The coming trilateralism of US, Russia, and China will make the three competing and also cooperating with each other every now and then, they cannot be allies or real strategic partners. The fact is US is a democracy right from the birth of the nation and Russia is now a country with democratic institutions, leaving China with no choice but to suitably adapt itself and people of the world have seen that there are signs of some political reforms inside China. THE QUESTION OF A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CONTROLLING A LOCAL GOVERNMENT In the UK some years ago, people had heard about the person called ‘Red Ken’ who was leading the then Greater London Council (GLC) in conflict with the central government. In practical sense, the notion of ‘One country, two systems’ is not just a domestic issue as domestic and international issues are usually linked, there is no pure domestic issue nowadays. The question is ‘Can the central government handle a ‘rebellious’ local government?’ People have seen such cases in the UK, India and some other places. It is a shame if a central government cannot or do not have the capacity to handle such a situation. Such incapacity is a demonstration of its weakness in facing international affairs. FUNCTIONALISM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT In modern governance, a local government is a functional organ serving the people locally with efficiency. There should be as much less room of self-interests as possible. Most local people are practical and they want prosperity and happiness. They do not like to react strongly unless they are forced to. For the four basic elements of livelihood, i.e. clothes, foods, housing, and transportation, the only apparent discontent of many Hongkongers is the cramped housing conditions with no definite quick solutions. The local chief executive is preferably to be directly elected by the local people with one term of 3-4 years only and no more. Even so, the chief executive should be supported by 3-4 regional secretaries to support his/her work so that nearly nothing is overlooked. Top and efficient service is thus ensured. Public servants are paid to serve the public with efficiency. CONCLUSION China is a big country with a huge population. It is generally regarded unrealistic to talk about substantial political reform in mainland China (China) as it really takes time to progress. But Hong Kong SAR is a showpiece of Chinese capacity in world affairs. It would be a surprise if a large country with a population of 1.3 billion people does not have the capacity to accommodate dissent and control a small place like Hong Kong. Joseph WW Chan and Hong Kong Institute of Community Mediation (HKICMe) 香港社區調解學會 – we believe in mediation, prosperity and local administrative governance ! Mediator is a profession - Worldwide view, local expertise. Please visit i-success.org, if interested in mediation training 調解培訓.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:47:55 +0000
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