HKG SCHOLARS SEE LIMITED ROLE FOR HKSAR IN PRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HONG KONG 002201

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DEPT FOR EAP/CM; ALSO FOR DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CH HK
SUBJECT: HKG SCHOLARS SEE LIMITED ROLE FOR HKSAR IN PRC
DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT

Classified By: Acting Consul General Christopher Marut for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Hong Kong scholars and politicians doubt Hong
Kong can use "soft power" to influence China's political
development. However, they still see many key areas where
Hong Kong can serve as a reference for reform on the
Mainland, including in corporate governance and compliance,
judicial independence, individual rights and civil society,
anti-corruption, and education. One Executive Councilor
challenges these set assumptions, arguing Hong Kong is
missing an opportunity to participate in China's democratic
development. He further contends that, to compete with
Shanghai, Hong Kong should look to participate in
national-level policy making. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Hong Kong University recently hosted a conference on
Hong Kong's contribution to China's development. The event
was organized by several local political think tanks
including: SynergyNet, Centre for Comparative and Public Law,
Civic Exchange, and Hong Kong Policy Research Institute.
Several noted panelists from the public, private and academic
sectors participated in the conference including: labor
activist Han Dong-fang; journalist and media commentator
Leung Man-to; MingPao columnist Kevin Lau Chun-to; Civic
Exchange CEO Christine Loh Kung-wai; Legislative Council
member Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee (Civic Party); Legislative
Council member Albert Ho Chun-Yan (Chairman, Democratic
Party); and Columnist Hung Ching-tin. We also discussed these
issues with Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, a noted
scholar serving on the Executive Council (Hong Kong's
cabinet.) A former vice chairman of the Democratic Party,
Cheung is a vocal advocate for Hong Kong's active
participation in China's evolution.

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Leading by Example
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3. (C) Participants in the HKU conference played down the
impact that Hong Kong had in China's political development.
Many felt that Hong Kong's influence on the Mainland, whether
political or cultural, had been diluted by China's own rapid
development. In addition, external influences from Taiwan,
Korea and Japan, in the form of alternative political and
legal systems, popular TV serials, and fashion and pop
culture have further weakened Hong Kong's impact on the
Mainland. Journalist and media commentator Leung Man-to
believed that Hong Kong would have done better to market its
strength in protecting individual freedom instead of
democracy, not least because of Hong Kong's own trials in
democratic development.


4. (C) While few saw Hong Kong as able to "lead" the
Mainland, most conference participants felt Hong Kong could
serve as a "reference point" for China. They specifically
cited such core Hong Kong strengths as corporate governance
and compliance, judicial independence, public policy, human
rights, NGOs and civil society, financial regulation,
business management, consumer product safety,
anti-corruption, and education. Many of the conference
participants felt that Hong Kong has been particularly useful
in the development of NGOs and civil society on the Mainland.
Due to bureaucratic and political reasons, many Chinese NGOs
incorporate and train their staff in Hong Kong, creating a
direct avenue for HKSAR to influence these Chinese
organizations. Several participants, including Legislative
Council member, Margaret Ng, went a step further, and stated
that HKSARG had a moral responsibility and an obligation to
set a good example for China.

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Splendid Opportunity Not Yet Lost
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5. (C) Executive Councilor Professor Anthony Cheung disputed
these pessimistic assessments of Hong Kong's influence, and
bemoaned Hong Kong's lack of self-confidence. Cheung firmly
believed Hong Kong's humanistic culture and values, as well
as its strong civil society, could be both a model and an
example to the Mainland. Hong Kong is a data point in the
Mainland debate over the results and prospects from "reform
and opening up." Given its exceptional status under "one
country, two systems," Hong Kong has latitude to develop in
ways that Mainland cities cannot, and which may provoke
questions or discussions among leaders of other Chinese
regions and municipalities. Hong Kong can also have a
powerful demonstration effect for other major urban centers
in China, Cheung said.


HONG KONG 00002201 002 OF 002



6. (C) Cheung also believed Hong Kong should participate
actively in national policy making to serve its own vested
interests. Recalling the public debate over whether Shanghai
could overtake Hong Kong, Cheung asked rhetorically, "who now
has more influence in Beijing?" While Shanghai has people in
the Politburo, Cheung noted, Hong Kong has been relegated to
working through the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
Cheung believed Hong Kong should therefore make efforts to
seek its own access to top-level leaders on the Mainland.

MARUT