PREFACE
Urgent Business: Hong Kong, Freedom of Expression and 1997
Hong Kong is entering the most frightening and perhaps most turbulent years of its existence as it prepares to return to rule by China in 1997. The row which developed in late 1992 between the Governor, Chris Patten, and the government of China over the pace of democratic reform, illustrates the dangers which are ahead.
Those dangers are especially acute in the area of freedom of expression. Freedom of the press and of expression - the rights articulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the cornerstone of a free society. Once freedom of the press is lost, all other freedoms are endangered. That is why a free press in Hong Kong is so vital to the future of the territory's six million inhabitants.
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Today, Hong Kong can boast one of the freest presses in East Asia. But the Hong Kong authorities enjoy powers of restriction and censorship which they sometimes use. And as 1997 approaches, the force of Beijing, both explicit and implicit, is more and more often deployed.
The control of information is central to the manner in which the Chinese government maintains its dictatorial powers. The media in China are almost entirely managed by the State. The anger which was spontaneously, openly and freely expressed in Hong Kong at the brutal suppression of the democracy movement in June 1989 provoked outrage in the Beijing government.
In the Joint Declaration with Britain and under the Basic Law, China has on paper committed itself to allowing freedom of expression to continue in Hong Kong after 1997. Given the record of the Chinese authorities, there is reason to doubt the sincerity of these commitments. But the more immediate problem is that the present Hong Kong authorities have already on several occasions limited freedom of expression of views seen as being antagonistic to the rulers in Beijing.
Such caution on the part of the Hong Kong authorities is, inevitably, increasingly reflected in the attitudes of many journalists, writers and artists. It is not surprising that more and more are becoming apprehensive about criticizing Beijing - the risks of retribution after 1997 are clear. It takes great courage for writers and editors to withstand such despotism at close proximity. But often such courage is displayed in Hong Kong and tribute should be paid to it.
Emily Lau and William Shawcross
January 1993
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