Monday, 6/30/97 General optimism surrounds city-state’s
transition to Chinese rule HONG KONG: Some liberties may be
threatened, but most expecting smooth handover
By Tyler Maxwell Daily Bruin Senior Staff Napoleon once said of
China, "Here lies a sleeping giant, let it sleep, for when it wakes
it will shake the world." Some believe Hong Kong’s change in
sovereignty is a sign of the giant begging to stir. There has been
talk in the Western press about Red China, with its censorship and
political repression, swallowing a thriving capitalist, Westernized
city-state. Many experts disagree with this portrayal of the
situation in Hong Kong. Though there will be threats to liberties
such as free speech and an increased Chinese military presence,
there is general optimism regarding the transition. Hong Kong’s
stock market hit a record high on the last day of its pre-handover
trading. The robust showing was seen as a sign of investor
confidence in the territory’s economic future. "For the most part
it is business as usual," said Richard Baum, UCLA professor of
political science. He is currently in Hong Kong to witness the
historic transition. "It is not as it is represented in some
Western media, a city that is on the edge of either a nervous
breakdown or a massive invasion from across the border. It is a lot
less worrisome than that," he continued. China has been on its best
behavior in the weeks and days leading up to the transition. This
calm exterior may be self serving. "I have to say that the Chinese
have behaved themselves very well throughout this transition
period," said Baum. "They realize that how the transition goes will
effect China’s image throughout the world. They have suffered a …
disastrous blow to their global image because of Tienanmen in 1989.
They are still reeling under this." Many in Hong Kong mistrust and
fear the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) after the 1989 crackdown on
pro-democracy protesters in Beijing. This image has lead to a lot
of reform in the training procedures in the PLA, according to Baum.
"There will never have been such a well behaved army occupying
another country," he commented. China has the right to send in its
army following the takeover. Outgoing Gov. Chris Patten speculated
that China’s sending armored personnel carriers into Hong Kong
immediately following the transition would send "a very bad signal
to Hong Kong and the rest of the world." A statement from the
office of Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s China-approved future leader,
said land forces will cross the border at three points in 21
armored cars and 400 other vehicles. Ten naval vessels will dock at
the Stonecutters Island base in the harbor, within view of the
skyscraper-lined business district. Six helicopters will fly into
an air base in the semi-rural New Territories. In light of this
military presence, experts contend that China has a vested interest
that things go smoothly in Hong Kong. "Most people don’t think
there will be a dramatic display," said Michael Davis, law
professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "Most of the
bases are in more remote areas," Davis continued. "I would not
expect armored personnel carriers to pass through urban areas. If
this happens, it will evoke a dramatic response." "Taiwan is an
object of their concern. The smoother the handover goes in Hong
Kong, the better the chances that they will ultimately get the
prize of Taiwan peacefully as well," said Baum. "If things get too
oppressive here they will blow any chance they have of a peaceful
reunification with Taiwan." The western media has emphasized the
questions concerning free speech and the rights of the media in
post-transition Hong Kong. "The area of self-censorship is one that
has attracted a great deal of attention. It has occurred. It is
occurring, and it probably will increase," said Baum. The pervasive
form of censorship in Hong Kong is not what one might think. When
China takes over, there will not be resident censors in each
newspaper editing the copy; the censorship in Hong Kong is more
subtle. "The fear is that there won’t be direct censorship, but
indirect censorship," said Baum. "For example, a business firm that
is looking for a Beijing investment is not likely to advertise in a
newspaper that takes an anti-Chinese stand," he said. "Because then
they will be linked with anti-Chinese sentiment and could be
subject to reprisal." Celebrations have been scheduled in the days
leading up to the handover. The largest fireworks display in
China’s history, with estimated cost of $10 million (U.S.), is
scheduled for the Monday night ceremony. The number of arrivals in
Hong Kong from the U.S. is up by 18 percent this year, according to
Kathy Smits of the Hong Kong Tourist Association. The long-term
effects of the transition are anyone’s guess. One immediate effect
observed in Hong Kong is the increased solidarity among residents.
People in Hong Kong have gained a stronger sense of their Chinese
heritage. "There is a new pride in identifying people as Chinese
here," said Baum. "We as Westerners are going to have to diminish
our expectations that the rest of the world is going to eagerly
devour everything we have to offer them." The Associated Press
Crowds gather to listen to a band in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Park on
Sunday. Previous Daily Bruin Story Culture, state must cooperate
for prosperity, February 18, 1997