Editorials
Monday, June 30, 1997AFTER 156 years as a British colony, Hong Kong reverted to China today. The turnover has been awaited by much of the world with great interest, and needless to say with even more interest by the residents of Hong Kong, many of whom are refugees from Chinese communism or the descendants of refugees. Yet the great majority of them have displayed no anxiety about the change. Hong Kong is benefiting from the booming Chinese economy. People obviously want to believe that their prosperity will continue after Britain leaves, and indications are it probably will. Hong Kong reverts
to Chinese controlMuch less certain is the survival of the democratic freedoms Hong Kong now enjoys. In recent years Britain has permitted and even encouraged the election of Hong Kong's legislative council, which was previously appointed by the governor. But China has declared the elected council a violation of the terms of the 1984 turnover agreement. It is being replaced by a council appointed by Beijing and undoubtedly responsive to its wishes. Also responsive will be Hong Kong's new chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, whose shipping company was once bailed out by China and who was selected by a board picked by Beijing.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was present for the changeover ceremony but boycotted the inauguration of the new council, as did British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
This Beijing-ordered retreat from democratic election to autocratic appointment could signal other repressive measures to come. Already it has been announced that permission will be required to hold public demonstrations. Anti-Beijing demonstrations are unlikely to be approved.
Hong Kong residents for the most part seem either unconcerned or take such developments for granted. Perhaps a more common sentiment is nationalistic pride in reversion to China, for the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong's people are Chinese in race and ethnicity. But a vocal minority is resolved to defend democracy under Chinese suzerainty.
For these people, the specter of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre hangs over Hong Kong. The brutal crackdown only eight years ago was protested more vigorously at the time in Hong Kong than anywhere else, with a turnout of 1 million. The anniversary observance this month in Hong Kong drew a crowd estimated at 55,000, larger than those in recent years. Perhaps the turnout was recognition that this may be the last year such a demonstration against the Beijing regime will be permitted.
China's rulers remain an enigma, particularly since the death of Deng Xiaoping. The world hopes that they will have enough sense to leave Hong Kong alone, if only because if they interfere clumsily enough they could frighten foreign investors away, to their own detriment. Thus far the investors are betting that they won't, but a few missteps could change that assessment overnight.
ENVIRONMENTAL activists faulted President Clinton for his refusal to commit the nation to a specific target in limiting greenhouse gases. But they could hardly complain about his approval the day before he addressed the Earth Summit of strict standards aimed at cleansing the air in hundreds of cities of smog and soot. In fact, they were pleasantly surprised. Clinton had been expected to weaken the proposal, which was presented last November by the Environmental Protection Agency. Cleaning up the air
Honolulu is blessed with cleaner air than most cities, in the United States and worldwide, so meeting the proposed air-quality standards might not be a big problem -- certainly not as big as Los Angeles', for example, where pollution in some areas sometimes is twice as high as the proposed limits.
But the state should continue encouraging solar heating, among other things, as a way to reduce consumption of oil and coal, which contribute to air pollution.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
