Hong Kong's new leader meets media
Tung reassuring, but critical of pre-handover laws
July 2, 1997
Web posted at: 10:28 a.m. EDT (1428 GMT)HONG KONG (CNN) -- Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa hinted on Wednesday that some laws rammed through in the final days of the territory's now defunct elected assembly could be scrapped.
Meeting with reporters, he also took a calm view of his critics in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and said his intention was to maintain the former British colony's "economic vibrancy."
On the second day of Hong Kong's reunification with mainland China, the Beijing-appointed chief executive told his first post-handover news conference he would do all he could to "safeguard" the territory's residents.
Tung said Hong Kong must "get to know our own country better" but shouldn't feel obliged to "humor or accommodate" China.
"There will be conflicts, and obviously they will need to be talked through in order to make sure that our interests are looked after," he said. "But the important thing is that our long-term interests are very similar."
Referring to a series of laws passed by Hong Kong's Legislative Council shortly before the handover, Tung snapped, "How many laws can you pass in two or three weeks -- some of them without proper study?"
The laws passed by the elected 60-member body covered items such as civil rights, sex discrimination and labor protection. Hong Kong's elected legislature was replaced by an appointed body set up by China. On Wednesday, Tung repeated his pledge to hold elections next year.
On other subjects, Tung:
- Said he was happy that the transition of sovereignty had been a success and said he had received assurances from Chinese President Jiang Zemin that China would not interfere with Hong Kong's affairs.
- Vowed to pursue dialogue with Taiwan "in areas of business and culture." Beijing's communist leaders hope the island, like Hong Kong, will be unified with China one day.
- Said he wants to keep Hong Kong an international city "with the best of East and West."
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- Assured pro-democracy activists, who have accused him and China of reversing political reforms, that they can continue to hold demonstrations "as long as they are legal."
Medal winners
Earlier in the day, Tung presented medals to a dozen people -- all prominent pro-Chinese figures -- for service to Hong Kong. Until Tuesday, when China took over, such honors were presented by Britain, the colonial power for 156 years.
Those honored included an Englishwoman, Elsie Tu, a fierce critic of the democratic reforms of Hong Kong's former British Gov. Chris Patten.
At 83, she is serving in the new Beijing-appointed legislature and is one of the most popular political figures in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's new chief executive, a former shipping magnate, also began a series of get-acquainted meetings with envoys from neighboring Asian countries.
Tung was holding talks with the foreign ministers of Japan, Thailand, Korea and the Philippines, as well as New Zealand and Canada.
Holiday washout
Wednesday, the last day of a five-day handover holiday in Hong Kong, was supposed to have featured a final burst of outdoor festivities. But it rained -- hard -- on Hong Kong's parade.
A planned procession of floats was canceled due to the storms, which caused floods and landslides and left at least eight people injured. This is the summer monsoon season and heavy rainfall is frequent.
Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy and Reuters contributed to this report.
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