Hong Kong - Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader was forced
to apologize Thursday after suggesting to legislators that most
people in the city wanted to put the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre
behind them.
Pro-democracy legislators staged a furious walkout after Donald
Tsang's remarks which come weeks before the 20th anniversary of the
June 4 massacre in which hundreds and possibly thousands of student
demonstrators were killed in Beijing.
Asked for his views on the anniversary in a question and answer
session with legislators, Tsang commented 'time has passed' and said
China had made great economic strides, adding: 'My view represents
the overall view of the community.'
He went on: 'The incident (the 1989 massacre) took place a long
time ago and our country has achieved remarkable achievements in many
areas. The country has progressed and I am sure ... many people agree
with my judgement.'
Tsang's remarks led to chaotic scenes as pro-democracy legislators
staged a mass walkout in the chamber, where they make up around
two-thirds of the 30 directly elected members. Another 30 legislators
are picked by special interest groups.
Pro-democracy legislator Margaret Ng said: 'I think Donald Tsang's
answer is downright insulting. He does not only insult every one of
us in the room. He insults the whole of Hong Kong.
'To say that China has become economically successful and
therefore we should forget the massacre is a cold-blooded insult.'
Tsang later apologized to legislators for making members 'so
agitated' and then issued a further apology to reporters, saying he
was wrong to imply that he spoke for the whole of Hong Kong.
Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong take part in an annual
candle-light vigil to remember the victims of the 1989 massacre in
Beijing, the only place on Chinese soil where a commemoration is
allowed.
The biggest demonstration in modern Hong Kong history involving an
estimated 1 million-plus people took place immediately after the 1989
killings.
Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 after 156 years as a
British colony under a 'one country, two systems' arrangement that
guarantees freedom of speech and expression for its 7 million
citizens.
Chief executive Donald Tsang was appointed by a pro-Beijing
election committee in 2005, succeeding the unpopular Tung Chee-hwa
whose bumbling leadership led to mass anti-government demonstrations.
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