PERSPECTIVE Æ[¹îÁ֮ɵû
Jiang: Still the General of China's Future?
To many Westerners, Chinese politics seems to rarely move at anything but a glacial pace. However, the 16th Communist Party Congress has ushered in a
new and younger generation of leaders. Come summertime, a large number of elderly leaders are expected to have retired, including the three top
officials, Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, and Zhu Rongji. Providing a direct connection between the old to the new however, is Jiang Zemin. During November's
16th Party Congress, it has been stated that Jiang will step down from his position as President and General Secretary of the Communist Party. Jiang
however has managed to hold onto his position as Chairman of China's Central Military Commission. For the 76 year old Jiang, maintaining power will have
to take several forms.
(more)
Article 23 of the Basic Law and the Prospect of Hong Kong
With the ongoing economic downturn and high unemployment, the popularity of the Hong Kong Government, in particular that of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa,
fell to a record low level. These days, the people of Hong Kong are subjected to a new worry-the new legislation of an anti-subversion law. The principle
of this law is stated in Article 23 of the Basic Law as follows:
The Hong Kong Special administrative Region shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central
People's Government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region,
and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies.
To understand why the implementation of this law comes to be so controversial and worrisome, one has to first answer the following questions: why is there
a Basic Law? Why are there are so many people opposing the legislation of the anti-subversion law? What too will be the subsequent effects of this law on
the future of Hong Kong?
(more)
Rethinking Hong Kong's Future
Roman Tam (ù¤å), the legendary Hong Kong Pop icon that grew up with my parents' generation, could not have added more sadness to what was already a sad
year for Hong Kong. The time is one of the region's most prolonged and severe economic downturns; the context is a widespread societal loss of faith
in the region's economy and government. It is during this time when Secretary of Finance Anthony Leung, in an attempt to mobilize Hong Kong-ers to
persevere in the difficult economic environment, performed before the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LEGCO) Lo Man's most famous song, Under the Lion
Rock. This sentimental song, deifying the so-called Hong Kong value of dynamic entrepreneur spirit and the drive to succeed, portrays the working class
of the 70s and 80s, whose hard work transformed Hong Kong to an Asian Tiger. With this song, Mr. Leung sent an uplifting vibration across the unhappy
society. More than the nostalgia in everybody's mind, however, is this question: will Hong Kong recover and experience again her glory?
(more)
Old Ways Die Hard
In meeting with President Bush, Chinese Present Jiang Zemin inserted a terse phrase, emphasizing that each country will develop in accordance to its own
unique factors. "Confucius said more than 2,000 years ago, 'In human relationships, a gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity"' he said. "That is to
say, harmony but not sameness, reserving differences without coming into conflict." Any bilateral exchange usually involves the mentioning of such phrases
on the part of China. Usually, it's uttered in response to criticism of Chinese government policies. With regard to human rights, cultural norms and so
forth, it has become somewhat of a catch-phrase: doing things with "Chinese characteristics." The idea that somehow China is different, due to its
specific cultural, social and historical variables is in itself not a peculiar notion. In the realms of politics and social norms, China is, more so than
most countries in the world, deeply affected by its traditions. Yet the idea that China is today, a product of only its domestic struggles, and that only
the "Chinese" have a say in what is to become of the country, has become something of national myth.
(more)
Who's Who
The Matching Game
(more)
|
