|
|
|
Beijingˇ¦s
rumour on Sep 13, 2004 Hong
Kong expects record voter turnout A
record turnout was expected in yesterday's legislative council elections in Hong
Kong, which the territory's Democratic Party has billed as "a referendum on
democracy." Analysts
say the turnout could be in excess of 60 percent, beating the previous record
turnout of 53 percent in 1998, a year after Hong Kong was returned to Chinese
rule by Britain. By
4:30pm, nearly one million voters -- 30 percent of Hong Kong's 3.2 million
registered voters -- had cast their ballots with six hours remaining until
polling stations closed. Yesterday's
election for the 30 directly-elected seats in the legislature comes just two
months after 530,000 people marched through the streets of Hong Kong demanding
universal suffrage. Yeung
Sum, head of the Democratic Party, which is expected to win the greatest share
of the vote, called the election "a referendum on Hong Kong's
democracy." After
a bruising campaign marred by alleged dirty tricks, he told his supporters on
the eve of voting: "A vote for the pro-democracy camp is tantamount to
voting for universal suffrage." Pro-democracy
legislators hold the greatest share of directly-elected seats on Hong Kong's
legislative council and are expected to maintain their dominance. However,
pro-China legislators are likely to maintain control because 30 more seats in
so-called functional constituencies are picked by an election committee and
largely pro-Beijing professional interest groups. A
total of 88 candidates are contesting the 30 directly elected seats in a contest
seen as a battle between the Democratic Party and the main pro-Beijing party,
the Democratic Alliance. The
turnout at yesterday's election appeared on course to far exceed that of the
last legislative council election four years ago, when voter turnout was only
43.5 percent. Since
then, the political temperature in Hong Kong has risen considerably with mass
protests and China intervening in May to say there will be no universal suffrage
for at least the next four years. Political
scientist James Sung of Hong Kong's City University predicted the turnout could
be in excess of 60 percent and said a high turnout would favor pro-democracy
candidates. A
report by Human Rights Watch released last week described the political
atmosphere in Hong Kong as "toxic" and accused Beijing of meddling in
the election. After
casting his vote yesterday morning, Hong Kong's deputy leader Donald Tsang
emphasized how the election represented a milestone for Hong Kong as the number
of directly-elected seats had been increased from 24 to 30. Hong
Kong's Beijing-appointed leader Tung Chee-hwa was booed and jeered by a small
group of protesters when he cast his ballot.
All
eyes on Jiang ahead of meeting
Republic
needs US backing By
Michael Yeun Over
the past half century, Taiwan's sovereignty has been violated by the Republic of
China (ROC) and the People's Republic of China and neglected by most of the
world. As
a result, establishing an independent "Republic of Taiwan" is a dream
long held by the majority of the nation's people. The concept entails a free,
democratic and de jure independent Taiwan, a new constitution and
rectifying the country's name from "Republic of China" to
"Republic of Taiwan" or "Taiwan." The
US, as the sole remaining superpower, should play a more proactive role in
making this dream come true. Here's why. At
the end of World War II in 1945, the US and its allies carelessly turned Taiwan
over to control by Chiang Kai-Shek's ROC. The people of the country were not
consulted. The brutal abuse of the people by Chiang's occupying military force
led to the infamous 228 Incident -- a Taiwanese uprising on Feb. 28, 1947
resulting in 20,000 or more Taiwanese being killed by Chiang's army. Chiang's
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) then declared what became the longest period of
martial law in modern history, from 1947 to 1987. In 1949, China's nationalists,
having lost the civil war to Mao Tse-tung's communists, fled to Taiwan and
"officially" started their dictatorial occupation of the country. They
brought with them the name "Republic of China" and imposed this
misnomer on the nation. Most
countries in the world kept silent about the 228 Incident -- the Taiwanese
Holocaust. Chiang's bloody deeds were never condemned. During these dark times,
under KMT rule, the Taiwanese lived with very limited political freedom and
human rights despite their continuous efforts to participate in the political
process. Just
before the lifting of martial law in May 1987, the first Taiwanese political
party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was established with the help of
various pressure groups, including overseas Taiwanese organizations and
international supporters. Thirteen
years later, in March 2000, the DPP finally defeated the KMT in the presidential
election. Chen Shui-bian became the first popularly elected president of Taiwan
from the DPP opposition party. This watershed event moved the nation another
step further towards becoming a full-fledged, independent country. Just
this past March, Chen won re-election. That victory virtually sealed the fate of
pro-Chinese parties such as the KMT and the People First Party. It was also a
major victory for constitutional reform in Taiwan. The nation still functions
under the old Constitution of the ROC, but the majority of the electorate voted
for Chen -- a staunch advocate of a new constitution for the country. It is just
a matter of time before a new nation -- with a new name and constitution -- will
emerge. The
time is ripe now for the people of Taiwan to reclaim their own country and give
it the name "Republic of Taiwan." The
US should now recognize this new Taiwan. China
continues to state that it will attack Taiwan if the country declares
independence. At the present time, China has more than 500 missiles aimed at
Taiwan, keeping the peace-hungry Taiwanese in a state of daily terror. The
number of missiles is increasing every year. Yet
proclaiming independence is nothing more than a logical extension of the
nation's democratic development over the past two decades. A referendum would be
an appropriate vehicle and a peaceful way to let the nation's people determine
their own future. Beijing
will not be amused, of course. And that is where the US should remain firm.
China will be less likely to launch armed military conflict against Taiwan if
the US clearly states that it welcomes an independent "Republic of
Taiwan" and expresses its explicit support for a democratic referendum to
determine the nation's future. The US needs to make it crystal clear to China
that it will rally to Taiwan's side in case of a Chinese attack -- even if
Taiwan declares independence. An ambiguous US policy towards China and Taiwan
will lead to a much greater possibility of a disastrous war. In
the meantime, the free world needs to cease falling for the lies and propaganda
of communist China, which claims a territory that it does not have the right to
annex. The
most important reason the US should support the establishment of a
"Republic of Taiwan" is ideological. The US and Taiwan share a strong
commitment to democracy, free enterprise, religious freedom and human rights --
all freedoms that China habitually tramples on. If
the US wishes to remain the champion of democracy and freedom for mankind, what
better demonstration of US values is there than support for a "Republic of
Taiwan?" What better strategy than showcasing a free, independent and
democratic Taiwan as an exercise in democracy? Can
we imagine the outcome of not standing up to fight for this "Republic of
Taiwan?" This will result in a loss of credibility for the US in the free
world. If we let a large "terrorist state" annex its small neighbor
nation we will lose a strategic pillar in southeast Asia. Such a loss would
eventually threaten our vital interests in the Pacific region. The
US understands that there is nothing to fear from democracy, self-determination
and freedom. It is therefore in a unique position to advance the global spread
of democracy by implementing a strong commitment to an independent and
democratic "Republic of Taiwan." The
creation of this republic would be a boost to freedom-loving people the world
over. It would put an end to the threat of war in the Strait. Together, we need
to make it happen -- here in the US, and in the "Republic of Taiwan." Michael
Yeun New Jersey
|
|
|
