STEVE PIECZENIK TALKS

China’s Communist Sampan of Political Stability Enters Hong Kong Waters of Turbulent Democracy!

In the recent NY Times article by Chris Buckley and Michael Forsythe, August 31, 2014, entitled “Beijing Rules Out Open Elections In Hong Kong” quotes  Li Fei, Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Committee in Beijing….”love the country [PRC], and love Hong Kong…”

Then he added the ominous threat, ”[the PRC] would protect the broad stability of Hong Kong now and in the future” 

Folks, those are fighting words!
Why is Hong Kong so important to China’s survival and growth as a functioning economic powerhouse?
When I first start going to Hong Kong,  I would fly in the indomitable Pan Am planes that would miraculously fly in between two skyscrapers in the middle of a storm and then inevitably land at the old airport.  Flying into Hong Kong in those days had a certain panache as did the free-wheeling capitalist city where everything and anything goes.  The Hong Kong under British rule was a cross between our Las Vegas of yesteryears and the fast swirling trading of Chinese merchants born of the thigh of Adam Smith’s ‘Laissez Faire’ economy.

However in 1997,  a few years after I left my position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, mainland Communist China took over the ‘management’ of Hong Kong from the British. The transfer had been agreed upon by all nations concerned with the stability of the Far East as the goal.  It was as we say in Diplomatic Parlance, ‘both inevitable and interesting’. Yet none of us who knew China as well as Hong Kong expected anything but political and financial turbulence marked by civilian opposition groups demanding more freedom of movement, capital and trade.  Nothing could have been truer for the myopic leaders of the Central Committee, many of whom had never really ventured outside the ‘Middle Kingdom’ complex of the inner perimeter of the Great Walls of China.

Now the delayed promised programs of liberalization have resulted in tumultuous protests in the crowded streets of Hong Kong. The feeling of betrayal, deceit and repression resounds throughout the back allies of Hong Kong commerce.

“After having lied to Hong Kong people for so many years, it finally revealed itself today,” said Alan Leong, a pro-democracy legislator. “Hong Kong people are right to feel betrayed.  Its certain now that the central government [PRC] will be effectively appointing Hong Kong’s Chief Executive.”  President Xi, an extremely sophisticated politician a la Mao had orchestrated a massive campaign in China against political dissent where the Chinese citizens correctly demand more democracy; a fair judicial system; and a transparent civil society. That will not happen in the near future unless massive demonstrations in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangchou, Tanjin, Harbin, and other major cities suddenly erupt in an orchestrated fashion.

However, Hong Kong is a different type of Chinese city.  It’s has an exceedingly long history of free trade and free discourse which at its most controlled moments appeared like the trading floor of the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago on steroids.  Hong Kong is the petri dish of liberalization and pro-democracy movements.

What President Xi does or does not do in Hong Kong may determine the future of democracy and political stability for the rest of the 1.2 billion populace of China. The agreed upon policy originally stated by China and its diplomatic counterparts was: ”ONE COUNTRY; TWO SYSTEMS”.  If it turns out to be “TWO COUNTRIES; ONE SYSTEM”….. .then President Xi and the rest of China, especially the dysfunctional, corrupt Chinese Communist Party will be in a situation where Confucius once said:

“To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice”

President Xi-are you a brave leader?
That is the question that you must answer through your actions toward Hong Kong.

The Free World awaits your response.

xie, xie! Thank you !