Rival's scandal should give Hong Kong Democrats election edge

Martin Lee takes his message to the streets of Hong Kong in an effort to win votes

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From staff and wire reports

HONG KONG -- A scandal involving a key leader of a rival party may hand victory in Hong Kong's elections on Sunday to the Democratic Party led by Beijing critic Martin Lee. But even if they win all the seats they contest, the Democrats will still be in opposition.

Trouble for the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) began when Gary Cheng, its vice-chairman, resigned after admitting he ran a public relations firm without declaring his interest under election rules.

He also acknowledged that he had passed on a confidential government document to a business contact.

Until the scandal, even Lee had said the DAB would overtake his party in the legislature, having as it did a stronger grassroots network and better resources.

Economy is key issue after severe recession

The DAB also was seen as being more focused on bread-and-butter economic issues compared with the Democrats, who had put the spotlight on the protection of the rule of law and democratization.

But this focus was seen by some voters as less important, concerned as they were about the economy as Hong Kong climbs out of its worst recession in decades.

The country's elections are the second since Britain handed over its former colony in 1997. They may have all the trappings of those in democratic countries, but the voting system is different because the political structure is specifically designed so that wealthy, pro-Beijing business interests shape the outcome.

Of the 60 legislative seats, ordinary voters are allowed to pick 24, while 30 others will be chosen by special interest groups known as functional constituencies such as bankers, lawyers and chambers of commerce.

Beijing ensures control 'as long as it likes'

And six will be elected by an 800-person committee dominated by pro-China personalities.

Voters cheer

"We are talking of a general electorate of over 3 million who can pick 24 of 60, while 800 people can pick six," said political commentator Andy Ho.

Critics say that is exactly the point. Democratic Party leader Lee said, "The whole thing was devised by Beijing to make sure that it will be able to control the legislature as long as it likes."

What that means in practice is that while people like Mr. Leung the newspaper vendor get one vote, someone like tycoon Li Ka Hsing, Hong Kong's richest man, may have hundreds.

"Because he owns so many companies, because he can influence the votes of so many companies, he may control up to several hundred votes," said Joseph Cheng, of City University of Hong Kong.

He said the Democrats were likely to remain the largest party, even though some of the factors that used to attract support had become less important.

"The first appeal of the Democratic Party is its criticism of Beijing. But Beijing has refrained from interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

"On democracy, people do not expect any change until 2007 and are more concerned with Hong Kong's economy and livelihood issues."

Under the country's post-handover constitution, its 6.8 million inhabitants will decide in 2007 whether the chief executive and legislature will be elected by universal suffrage.

The legislature is seen as weak, with real power controlled by the chief executive, Tung Chee Hwa, picked by Beijing to run the country.

His aloof and autocratic style of governing has made Tung the target of growing popular dissent, too, that may also be reflected in Sunday's ballot.

CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy and Reuters contributed to this report.

The Cheng affair bodes ill for Tung ahead of the legislative election
September 8, 2000
Scandals surrounding Hong Kong's chief executive may hinder voter turnout
September 4, 2000
Anti-Beijing Democrats scrambling amid shifts in Hong Kong politics
July 13, 2000

Democratic Party of Hong Kong
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission
Hong Kong Government Information Center

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