Written evidence from Calvin Lee (HKG0047)
It’s not textual, but contextual: 30 years after Joint Declaration
The way that the gov’t had done to HK was subtle, invisible
Misleading propaganda
Re-definition of “Hong Kong”
- Not to say the questionable interpretations of Basic Law by NPC SC in 1999 and 2004 were effectively expanding and redefining the original texts in Basic Law, not to say the recent unnecessary “decision” by NPC SC was far more then deciding if “there is a need” for HK constitutional reforms but setting out the framework excessively, the HKSAR government until today has no power to forbid migrants from China. If a person from China wishes to migrate to HK because of any reason, he has to apply a “One-way Permit” from Chinese gov’t. During the course, HK gov’t does not receive any information on the issuance. HK gov’t only knows a person is holding the permit and is migrating to HK when he stands in front of the border checkpoint. In other words, HK gov’t could not process, check, screen, approve, deny, forbid who is migrating to HK, but the China gov’t was working in complete black box. An apparent example was Shi Junlong (施君龍)[1], among numerous immigrants whose their excuses were in fact questionable[2].
- People from China are pouring into HK, changing the faces of HK in every aspect. Not to mention numerous cultural differences between HK and China, they are challenging the rule of law, manipulating the freedom of speech, raping the belief of justice, by taking up different positions in the society which empower them to deface HK. HK has changed because of the ridiculous Chinese immigration arrangement. As denoted by Christopher Patten, the community’s autonomy is being given away bit by bit by “some people” in HK, while “people in HK” is recomposing bit by bit.
- For example, the propaganda made by HK gov’t was not telling the truth. It said “everything comes from the Basic Law”[3]. It neglects the legitimacy of the Joint Declaration which stipulates the principles of Basic Law[4]. It ignores the development of HK in the 150 years before 1997. It does not respect the effort of HK people had done so hard to uphold the core values. It forgets the consensus of HK people on the 1997 handover that a universal suffrage was demanded. Now the Chinese and HK gov’t are playing so well with the words in the Basic Law. So-called universal suffrage will be manipulated as a North Korean or Iranian one. As said by pan-democratic legislators of HK, the Chinese gov’t simply reneges.
- Before 1997, HK was so called a meeting point between the East and West. That was the position defined and upheld by HK people. However, by political propaganda, by changing the composition of HK people, this saying has virtually vanished from everywhere. The HK gov’t could now only put its eyes on China. Its vision was bounded by the border of China. It is losing the ability to learn, to contact, and to communicate with the outside world. It was deliberately manipulated to be a China city, such that in the long run HK would no longer play any important role in the international community. As read in the “White Paper on Practices of One Country, Two System” published by Chinese gov’t in June 2014, the Chinese gov’t shall gain every power of HK. HK’s position has changed dramatically from the outline in the Joint Declaration. The documents were written so carefully that nobody can find anything wrong, but the context has changed in the atmosphere.
- All these happened to HK are not solely the responsibilities by HK people. HK people did not have a seat in the negotiations between Chinese and UK in the 1980s. The Joint Declaration was not signed by any representative from HK. What is happening in HK shall be responsible by both gov’t. FCO’s report to the Parliament was so abstract that no words were put on the cultural shock which happens to ordinary HK people every day. The UK gov’t simply has gone and forgotten HK after 1997, from the views of ordinary HK people.
- Nevertheless, it is so fine that the UK disconnect everything with HK. It is no big deal if HK becomes an indifference city. However, as the Parliament is receiving submissions, here is one of them.
