HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

The word "handover" carries such negative connotations that I sometimes think it should be phased out in discussions of Hong Kong. "Handover" sounds much like surrender or sell-out. The ex-British colony is not looking back. On the basis of 24 hours there, Hong Kong is not rose-tinted about the future. There are big questions about the form of universal suffrage to be adopted (see below), and about the impact of global economic shocks. But the goal of being Asia's financial capital is clear, and the strengths of the province are very strong. Certainly stronger than ten or five years ago, even if doubts have not been banished.

Ten years ago the talk was of defence against and insulation from China. Today the focus is on engagement - not as a bridge but as an "integrator", above all an integrator of Hong Kong's finance with Chinese ideas and people. An Asian time-zone version of our own ambitions.

HONG KONG: NEXT STEPS TO SUFFRAGE

The Hong Kong Basic Law contains the "ultimate aim" of universal suffrage. On 29 December this was ruled out for the 2012 Chief Executive elections but ruled in for 2017, and the 2020 Legislative Council elections in 2020). The delay is disappointing (see my comments on Hong Kong Elections) but the commitment from the Chinese Government is very important. The next steps are to see it through: it will be the ally of long-term confidence and stability.

FACT OF THE DAY: AIR CONDITIONING

The air conditioners bought in China in 2008 will use all the energy produced by the Three Gorges Dam. Oh no.

posted on 25 February 2008 17:57 by David Miliband
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COMMENTS

# 26 February 2008 13:10 Paul Buddery wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

This is very interesting, but can you tell us what is being done to get the ball moving on UN security Council reform. It is simply lunacy that the structure of the present system dates back to 1945.

COMMENTS

# 26 February 2008 23:34 DR Tam wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

It is very intriguing to see how a former colony turns her back to the UK in short ten years. Britain has built and molds HK to be a hub financial powerhouse in Asia. The Colonial HK Government trained and influences the thought and believes of her citizen for 150 years. UK could have remained a very strong influence to the upcoming power "China" through Hong Kong. However, the British Parliament has again failed to recognize HK colonial citizen status of full British Citizenship. Today there are less then 5% of the 3 millions former colonial citizens are replacing their British National Oversea Passport (BNO). They felt being recent by the British Government. They retaliate by replacing their passport with the Hong Kong SAR passport (China look-a-like Passport) which is more acceptable around the world with visa-free access than the BNO. Beijing propaganda department has distorted it further to the people of HK. The great system that the British colonial government achieved are being washed down by propaganda.
DR Tam~ Hong Kong

COMMENTS

# 27 February 2008 11:10 Giles Witton-Davies wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

Taipei, Taiwan: David Miliband's enthusiasm for democracy is to be congratulated, but apparently does not extend to the case of Taiwan, whose people he has discouraged from holding a referendum on UN membership. He states "We have a one-China policy which was set 35 years ago" and says "After the March election in Taiwan, there needs to be attempts from both sides to build some dialogue to try to reduce amounted tension across the Taiwan Straits" (China Daily 27 Feb). The tension comes from one side - China, which denies Taiwan's people's right to decide their own future democratically, and threatens military action if Taiwan does not do as it is told. It seems that the British Government prefers to kow-tow to the Chinese rather than support the Taiwan people's human rights.

COMMENTS

# 27 February 2008 11:32 Bozhong wrote:
Politics is complex let's focus on the future and real issue like Eco

"Hand over" ---it's weird you got the "surrender" feeling . It's what you should do right? if China took a place in UK 150 years ago shouldn't china give it back to UK after the time of the agreement(agreement based on military threatening) is out?
Really not helping by bringing up one sided politial issue here
and back to taiwan problem....well, it's something you need to do some research on history and what you say if china public support the independance of northireland?

COMMENTS

# 27 February 2008 23:19 Simon Heath wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

I agree about the first post about Taiwan - 'Bozhong' is just resorting to the kind of reasoning, if you can call it reasoning, Chinese always use when it comes to that pesky little issue. Taiwan was never PRC territory, not even for a single day.

Besides, the lease on HK Island was perpetual. Was that fair? No. But is that a fact? Yes.

Politics are complex, but I don't expect to see anything else on a Labour politician's blog, really.

COMMENTS

# 27 February 2008 23:56 Himanshu Shekhar wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

Your excellency Mr. Miliband.

I am a migrant to the US from Nepal. Came from very poor roots in Nepal but due to the selfless support of one British expats who taught our class in Nepal, I can be considered one of her success stories.

What you have described about China is absolutely fascinating. I wish my country of origin Nepal (which is right next to China in the south) would take note and inspire its own citizens to participate in a co-ordinated and sustainable development. While the neighbors are hitting new highs every day, Nepal is witnessing whatever infrastructure it has being ruined.

Oh and by the way I have a quick question: Did you really mean to call it the "Three Gorges Damn" ? (with an "N" in your fact of the day: air conditioning)

COMMENTS

# 28 February 2008 12:35 C Jones wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

Mr Miliband, most of your postings here refer to democracy. It is now obvious to all that your government is committed to ignoring it's election pledge for a referendum on Europe. I would like to see a posting on how you envisige UK democracy once the Lisbon Constitution is implemented. How, for example, do we register our protest against unpopular measures as the ballot box will no longer carry any weight? We will, after all, not be able to vote out the EU officials who will be introducing future legislation. As this blog is taxpayer funder, it is right you answer these questions.

COMMENTS

# 28 February 2008 20:39 Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

Hello. I've just posted something to our BBC "Haveyoursay" facility for you but in case it doesn't work properly I'll take the opportunity of using this blog too.. My local NHS trust diversity and equality strategy says " If its about me, involve me". Can you find out if China's application of "The Scientific Outlook on Development" ( see 17th party congress) includes similar ways to put people first? Also, please can China publish a downloadable pdf about "The Scientific Outlook on development" for our perusal? I'm reminded of an old saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat".. Is this English or Chinese? Perhaps you can find this out, too.

COMMENTS

# 29 February 2008 21:27 Tim wrote:
re: HONG KONG: DON'T LOOK BACK

With respect to democratization in HK, there are two questions still lingering heavily in many people’s mind.

a) Why didn’t British introduce democracy during her more than hundred years’ colonial rule of Hong Kong? British should have enough time to implement the kind of democracy that British are now requesting the Chinese to do in HK.

b) What was the motivation for the British politicians to only try to introduce democracy before the handover? It is well known to all that both the Chinese and the people of Hong Kong do not have the experiences of running democracy. To make HK more stable and prosperous, or otherwise, just try to ride a “high” moral and leave practical problems to the people of Hong Kong and China but behind those great British minds, such as in the cases of Palestine and Kashmir?

Probably the Chinese have made an appropriate decision in slowing down democratization of Hong Kong. What do you think?

Thank you very much for allowing me to leave feedbacks in your blog!