Blair urges ‘greater democracy’ in Hong Kong
Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday urged Hong Kong’s authorities to press ahead with democratic reforms in the former British colony.
His counsel came after mass street protests were witnessed on July 1 over controversial plans to erode civil rights in an anti-subversion law.
It also came before a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
Up to half a million turned up to make their feelings known over possible infringements to the freedoms of speech, press and assembly.
The new national security law would give police enhanced powers to crack down on subversion, treason and seditious activity, which may lead to abuses and human right violations.
Chinese President Wen Jiabao said at the time the bill would “absolutely will not affect the different rights and freedoms that Hong Kong people – including reporters – enjoy under the law.”
Mr Blair said Tung Chee-hwa’s decision to postpone the rollout was “a sensible way to proceed.”
But he chose his words carefully so as to not upset relations with China.
He expressed the hope that Hong Kong could get its “process of change back on track.”
The PM said he held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on North Korea, Iraq and the Middle East, and the fraught tensions between India and Pakistan.
On North Korea, which took centre stage during his talks, the PM said trilateral talks between North Korea, the US, and China could talk place in the next few weeks.
‘There is the desire then to have further talks, I think you will find within the next few weeks, to reconvene those talks,’ Mr Blair said.
Mr Blair made it clear also that Japan and South Korea ought to be included in discussions in the not-too-distant future.
