Beijing’s faith in HK govt averted crackdown: Leung

HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying yesterday said the reason Chinese troops were not called out to quell protests during last year’s student-led pro-democracy uprising, which brought parts of the city to a standstill, was because Beijing had confidence in the local authorities.

Pro-Beijing politicians and even university vice-chancellors repeatedly warned the student protesters of a military crackdown during the early days of the 79-day occupation movement, which was staged to press the government and Beijing for greater democracy in the upcoming leadership election.

“Throughout the so-called Occupy Central protests, the handling of the incident was left entirely to the Hong Kong police,” Mr Leung said in a speech at the Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference.

“The Hong Kong garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was never called out from their barracks. It was a reassuring sign on the part of the central government of the faith and confidence in the Hong Kong government and its police force.”

The Basic Law, the mini-constitution in effect since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, states the Hong Kong government may ask Beijing for military assistance “in the maintenance of public order”.

Mr Leung said the government is prepared should similar protests take place in the future.

“Will Occupy (Central) resurrect itself? I can say that the public, if Occupy happens again, will not be sympathetic,” Mr Leung said, while urging electors to vote out legislators and district councillors who support the movement.

Pro-democracy camp lawmakers were not amused.

“I am furious. Leung Chun-ying is not only picking a quarrel every day, he is picking a fight,” said Ms Emily Lau, chairwoman of the Democratic Party and one of 40 legislators who were returned by popular vote to the 70-strong Legislative Council.

“What gives (Leung) the right to throw me out? Whether the people support or oppose (the protests), we fully respect them and we, the party, will face the decision of voters, but it is not up to (one individual) to have a say,” she said.

Protesters in the Occupy campaign sought the withdrawal of an electoral reform blueprint endorsed by the national legislature. It ended with Beijing making no concessions.

The Hong Kong government is pressing for the legislature to pass a proposal based on the Beijing-endorsed resolution, which is said to be tabled by May, while the pro-democracy camp has already vowed to veto it.

Beijing has ruled that if the proposal is vetoed, the status quo will remain, which means the next Chief Executive will be elected by a 1,200-strong Election Committee. KYODO