NDI assessment mission visits Hong Kong in May 2005 and Promise of Democratization Report 10

From 24 – 28 May 2005 the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) conducted an assessment mission in Hong Kong in the lead-up to the Chief Executive election scheduled for July 10.

The mission comprised:

·         Sam Gejdenson, NDI board member and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives;

·         Peter Manikas, NDI Director of Asia Programs;

·         Christine Chung, NDI China Program Director;

·         Anne Tsai Bennett, NDI Asia Program Officer.

Promise of Democratization Report 9#

The findings of this mission were documented in:

·         The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2005 Chief Executive Election. NDI Hong Kong Report #10. 21 June 2005¹.

The team met with current and former government officials, including Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam, Solicitor General Robert Allcock and Deputy Solicitor General James O’Neil, political party leaders and legislators, nongovernmental organization representatives, academics, prominent business persons and representatives of business organizations, journalists, diplomats and others.

Promise of Democratization Report 10 cover

Key findings of the mission

The key findings of this mission were:

·         Donald Tsang is a moderate and is mindful of Beijing’s concerns.

·         Few anticipate that he will push for major changes.

During the ceremonial launching of his campaign, Tsang indicated his strategy to manage expectations. He stated:

“We must be modest in our stated ambitions. Better by far to promise one candle and deliver two than to promise all the brightness of the sun and deliver only darkness”

(Page 15).

Reference

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2005 Chief Executive Election. NDI Hong Kong Report #10. 21 June 2005 Link to all Promise of Democratization Reports