It seems that the US interference in another country's affairs with its money and efforts is not a good turn. The Kuomintang was unhappy when the US financed and supported the activities of the advocates for the independence of Taiwan. When the US Congressmen came forward to fight for the cause of HSU Hsin-liang, firm measures were adopted by the Kuomintang. Maybe the Hong Kong Times would not praise the US for their money and efforts in their opposition to autocracy in such a way. The Chinese on both sides of the Strait should be on harmonious terms. Why should they turn to the foreigners to exert pressure on the Chinese?
Amidst the calls and appeals for the formation of political parties here, our major worries are that will some politicians of the same mentality as the Hong Kong Times welcome the Americans for "their money and effort"? Will the political bodies which fail to secure donations from local business sectors or financial groups be ready to serve anyone for material benefit? One has yet to wait and see.
Some people say that a system should be in place to register the donations received by political bodies in order to prohibit local political bodies from receiving donations from a foreign government. While it is probably reasonable that such law should be enacted, it is doubtful whether the authorities can find out where the donation really comes from. When a foreign government wants to offer financial assistance to a certain body, it does not have to make out a government cheque. It only needs to act through an agent, then the donation will be turned into private contribution. This is common knowledge to all.
Can Civil Servants join political parties?
Party politics is a brand-new issue in Hong Kong. For instance, whether civil servants can join political groups has evoked much discussion. Someone has claimed that Hong Kong should have a large party with trade unions as its main component and a membership of 500,000. As the party is mainly formed by unions, it should comprise independent civil service unions. And having civil servants as the mainstay, the party will, naturally, be very powerful. Do the civil servants' industrial actions emerging this year which point at the administration and management bear any relation to unionist politics?
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