Tough Reaction to Beijing Dissent Causes Fear in Capitalist Hong Kong

The crackdown on dissent in Beijing has multiplied fears that this vibrant capitalist enclave may wither under the Communist Chinese rule scheduled to begin in 1997.

Hong Kong residents watched in horror as Chinese soldiers stamped out the pro-democracy movement in June, and many responded by applying for passports and demanding that Britain offer them refuge.

“It’s a tragedy we have here,” said Joseph Y.S. Cheng, a political scientist. “To most of my friends, there are only two ways out. One is to emigrate; the other is to keep quiet, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.”

Britain agreed five years ago to return Hong Kong to China in 1997, when the lease on much of the crown colony expires.

In return, the Chinese said Hong Kong could keep its capitalist system and enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” for 50 years under a policy of “one country, two systems.”

Busy Making Money

Since then, the people of Hong Kong have busied themselves with what they have always done best: making money. The economy achieved impressive growth that reached 13.5% in 1987 and brought great prosperity to many of the 5.7 million people.

Economic links with China strengthened dramatically. Legions of Hong Kong entrepreneurs started factories in adjacent Guangdong Province and hundreds of Chinese companies set up shop in the territory.

Such bonds increased the importance of Hong Kong in China’s policy of modernizing and opening itself to the world, a process widely seen as the best guarantee of the “one country, two systems” policy.

Then came the night of June 3 in Beijing, when the army attacked and the government acknowledged that hundreds of people were killed. The assault, and mass arrests that followed, caused hundreds of thousands in Hong Kong to shed their political apathy and take to the streets in protest.

“It has shown very clearly that there’s no guarantee from China. They are capable of doing anything,” said Thomas Chan, a researcher at the Center of Asian Studies at the University of Hong Kong.

Many people are leaving the colony and companies are evaluating their future, said Robert Broadfoot, managing director of a business-risk consulting group.

A surge in the emigration of skilled workers would cause a loss of the local investment and personnel needed for the city to grow. The government estimates 45,000 people emigrated in 1988, up from an average of 20,000 in each of the previous five years.

Interest in Emigration

Sharp increases in emigration inquiries and applications were reported last month by consulates of such popular destinations as Canada and Australia. Even smaller countries like Jamaica and Belize found interest growing.

Diane Harrison, personnel manager of a Hong Kong shipping company, said three of the company’s 170 employees had resigned to move abroad, four were planning to leave and 17 had started the emigration process.

“Everybody is worried about the future,” she said.

People without the money, skills or connections to go where they choose are asking Britain to provide refuge as an “insurance policy.”

Officials in the colony say granting the right to live in Britain is essential to restoring confidence among residents, many of whose families fled Communist China. Britain has refused.

“There is simply no way that the British government could grant to several million people the right to come and live in Britain,” Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe said on a recent visit to Hong Kong.

He said Britain would take all measures possible to safeguard the colony and urged the people not to “underestimate your ability to build that future.”

“Hong Kong has seen hard times before,” Howe said. “You’ve always shown the resilience and the resourcefulness to live through such times and emerge from them stronger than ever before.”

A recent poll indicated only 6% of the residents would move to Britain if given the right and that most people had no intention of leaving Hong Kong. Chan said the pro-democracy movement had caused many to rediscover their Chinese identity.

All Levels Affected

The political awakening in Hong Kong touched all levels of society. In addition to huge street demonstrations, a television personality organized seminars on democracy, and activists collected volumes of signatures for various protests.

Revulsion about the Beijing crackdown was widespread, from newspapers long supported by Beijing to taxi drivers who attached tiny black flags to their antennas.

Britain, which some residents say has not done enough for the colony, appeared likely to speed democratic reform so the people would have a greater voice in their future. The legislature is dominated by government officials and appointed members.

Cheng, the political scientist, has fought a long battle for more democracy but now says: “What guarantee will it offer? If Beijing is ready to crush the students with tanks and machine guns, what’s the point of having a democratic system in Hong Kong?”

Others believe that continued support in Hong Kong for China’s dissidents might be dangerous.

“Beijing leaders could perceive a political threat in Hong Kong that outweighs economic benefits,” Broadfoot said. “If Hong Kong refuses to keep out of China’s political affairs, it could be extremely damaging.”

Observers say the fall of the hard-line leadership in Beijing or enacting a bill of rights and redrafting the post-1997 constitution for Hong Kong could help the territory’s success extend well into the 21st Century.

But for now, Cheng said, “almost everyone is very depressed.”