China attacks Britain over Hong Kong criticism

China lashed out at Britain today for criticising its decision to hold back on democracy in Hong Kong, a former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing ruled in April that Hong Kong cannot hold direct elections for its leader in 2007 and all MPs in 2008 despite growing calls for universal suffrage. Hundred of thousands marched in protest on July 1.

British foreign secretary Jack Straw yesterday called the move “inconsistent with the high degree of autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong.” He said Hong Kongers clearly want more say in their governance.

China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency claimed today that Mr Straw’s report had “ulterior motives” and denounced it as an attempt at “instigating the discontent of Hong Kong residents”.

Xinhua quoted Yang Wenchang, Beijing’s top foreign ministry envoy to Hong Kong, as saying China’s ruling was constitutional.

Yang noted Hong Kong enjoys Western-style civil liberties – which are typically denied in China – and that the territory was more democratic than it ever had been.

Hong Kong has never seen full democracy under either British or Chinese sovereignty. As a British colony, it was ruled by a London-appointed governor. Hong Kong’s current leader Tung Chee-hwa was picked by an 800-member committee loyal to Beijing.