TORONTO, September 16, 2004 -- The future of democracy in Hong Kong and implications of Sunday’s Legislative Council elections will be scrutinized during a symposium at York University tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 17, starting at 11a.m.
Photo: Hong Kong democracy protesters
The event begins with a panel discussion on Democracy, Autonomy, and Political Change in Hong Kong, chaired by York Professor Susan Henders of York’s Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts.
Pro-democratic parties increased their seat count in Sunday’s election to 25 out of 30 directly elected seats (among 60 total) and walked away with the largest portion of the popular vote, The voter turnout of 55.6 per cent was the highest in the history of Legislative Council elections.
Photo: Police control democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong
"While not the overwhelming victory the pro-democratic camp was hoping for, it was a significant showing given an electoral system that penalizes the most popular parties, the scandals that hit the headlines just before the vote, and accusations by Chinese officials that pro-democracy leaders were unpatriotic," Henders said. "The results suggest that the approximately half a million people who protested in Hong Kong streets on July 1 reflected widespread public disgruntlement with the status quo in the territory and a taste for democratic reform."
Henders says that the election outcome leaves the debate over further democratization in the territory simmering and confronts both local and Chinese authorities in China with a dilemma. The election had been called a referendum on China’s role in Hong Kong and the pace of democratic reforms in the territory. Chinese authorities and the Hong Kong government have rejected more democracy in Hong Kong for fear of triggering similar demands on the mainland and of undermining the power of the Hong Kong business establishment.
"The current political system, where only half of the legislators are directly elected and the chief executive is handpicked by Chinese authorities, lacks popular legitimacy. This makes governing Hong Kong difficult at a time when important economic, social and political issues must be addressed," Henders said.
Henders also noted that a Sept. 9 report by Human Rights Watch questioned Beijing’s intimidation of the media and voters in supporting pro-Beijing candidates.
The symposium – which is being held in room 305, York Lanes – is organized by the York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR). Full symposium details can be found at http://www.yorku.ca/ycar/events.htm
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For more information or to arrange an interview, the media should contact:
Ken Turriff, York U. Media Relations, 416-736-2100, x22086 / kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/121/04
