Hopes high for a wealthier, greener and fairer world
SCMP
Stephen Chen
Political Reform
Not since the bitter protests over the national security bill in 2003 has Hong Kong politics been so charged up, and well, nasty. Although the banana throwing seems to have died down, there is still plenty of animosity to go around, even among traditional allies. The government’s latest package of electoral reform proposals for 2012 has split the ranks of pan-democrats, who say the suggestions do not go far enough, but are divided on what to do about it.
For Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, the Civic Party leader, the solution is clear. “It is again time to stand up and be counted, through voting rather than marching, for progress towards the ultimate aim promised in the Basic Law. May this be a landmark year for democracy just as 2003 was for civil liberties. In 2003, half a million people marched in defence of our freedom and civil liberties against Article 23 legislation. It was not due to a lack of patriotism for the one country, but a need to ensure the two separate systems…
