Associated Press

Beijing, April 24:

Beijing will “very likely” rule out demands for full democracy in Hong Kong by 2007, a newspaper reported today. China has informed the Hong Kong government that the mainland’s most powerful legislative committee will “very likely” not allow the territory to hold direct elections by 2007, the Apple Daily tabloid said, quoting unidentified lawmakers who were reportedly briefed by Hong Kong officials. Many here are demanding the right to choose their leader by 2007 and all their lawmakers by 2008. This former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, has a separate administration, and its mini-constitution sets full democracy as an eventual goal but gives no timetable.

Beijing, however, has insisted that any political reforms must be gradual. The central government will likely point out that having direct elections within three years goes against that principle, it reported. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress will make an announcement on the issue on Monday, after considering a report by Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa. The committee already ruled earlier that any electoral reforms here must be approved by Beijing in advance. Hong Kong officials told opposition lawmakers about Beijing’s intention ahead of time in the hope of persuading them against any radical action, the newspaper quoted the pro-democracy lawmakers as saying. Three mainland officials — including Qiao Xiaoyang, deputy secretary-general of the congress’s standing committee — will visit Hong Kong on Monday to explain their ruling on Hong Kong’s electoral reforms.

US senator flayed

HONG KONG: China accused a US senator of meddling in its internal affairs on Saturday after he reportedly urged the US Congress to pass a resolution supporting democratic reforms in its territory Hong Kong. The Hong Kong office of China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement to condemn Sen Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, after he reportedly called on Congress to declare “that the people of Hong Kong should be free to determine the scope of constitutional developments.” — AP