MEMORANDUM TO: OPINION LEADERS

FROM: ELLEN BORK

SUBJECT: No to Hong Kong (Again)

China’s decrees on Hong Kong are coming fast and furious. On Friday, a mainland official told the Hong Kong legislature it was not allowed to debate Beijing’s decision last month to take charge of Hong Kong’s political development (“China Warns Hong Kong Legislators to Halt Debate on Elections,” Washington Post, May 8). The official said the ruling by Beijing is “an important legal document” that “cannot be questioned or challenged.”

As the Post reports, this is the first time that Beijing has directly intervened to curb debate in the legislature, even though, by Beijing’s design, democrats are already confined to a minority in the chamber, and pro-Beijing politicians determine the agenda.

Beijing’s ruling on democracy and escalating intimidation – last week it sent eight Chinese warships to visit Hong Kong – shows just how wrong, and dishonest, are claims that China will tolerate democracy when conditions allow. No population could be more ready for democracy than law-abiding, prosperous Hong Kong, whose people have repeatedly shown their aptitude and desire for democracy.

By law, U.S. policy toward Hong Kong is premised on its autonomy from the mainland. The ability to debate issues in the local legislature is a fundamental indicator of autonomy. President Bush should review Hong Kong’s autonomy, as he is authorized to do under the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act, and take steps that will convince Beijing the U.S. is serious about autonomy and democracy. The argument is often made that changing Hong Kong’s status in U.S. law would damage Hong Kong. In fact, the damage is already being done – by Beijing. Without a response from Washington, Beijing will conclude that the U.S. does not care about Hong Kong’s fate and will feel free to continue to pressure Hong Kong.