Cardinal Zen raps Beijing's claim to 'comprehensive sovereignty' over Hong Kong
June 13, 2014
Cardinal Joseph Zen has repeated his support for a democracy initiative in Hong Kong, saying that the people of Hong Kong will “hit back if they are repressed and forced to be slaved.”
Cardinal Zen, the retired Bishop of Hong Kong, has taken a prominent public role in support of a referendum calling for true democratic elections in Hong Kong. In a radio interview he criticized a ‘White Paper’ issued by the Beijing government stressing China’s “comprehensive sovereignty” over the province.
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Further information:
- Card. Zen and Democrats urge participation in referendum. Protests against Beijing's "White Paper" (AsiaNews)
- Cardinal Zen strongly backs democracy initiative for Hong Kong (CWN, 6/9)
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Posted by: -
Jun. 16, 2014 8:37 AM ET USA
True, but the only othher option open to Britain was war--war wiith China, not the Falklands.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jun. 14, 2014 3:02 PM ET USA
Actually, Hong Kong Island wasn't leased, but ceded to Britain, only the New Territories were leased for 99 years. My point was that it was obvious what China would do and why anyone or any country would give a democracy over to the communists is just plain wrong.
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Posted by: -
Jun. 13, 2014 9:03 PM ET USA
Defender, Great Britain could not have renewed its lease of Hong Kong, it wasn't an option for them. No amount of money would have been accepted by the Chinese. China only "leased" Hong Kong to Great Britain because they were forced to submit to Britain's greater strength at the time. China has never forgotten the embarassment of losing face over Hong Kong, and you can bet the farm that with their new super-power status, China will never again lose face like that again.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jun. 13, 2014 5:45 PM ET USA
Hong Kong was to have democracy in 2007, but China hasn't kept its word (no surprise there). As a matter of fact, it has slowly squeezed Hong Kong into forcibly acceding to its wishes. Great Britain should never have turned over Hong Kong - it should have renewed its lease because Hong Kong can't stand up to the communist government by itself.
