Zen and the Chinese art of HK
manipulation By Janus Lam
HONG
KONG - Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen, a thorn in
Beijing's side and a passionate supporter of early
universal suffrage here, recently made a surprise visit
to Shanghai, at China's invitation. His visit has
generated speculation that China is adroitly trying to
alienate him from his supporters, minimize his political
charisma and isolate other unruly hard-core democrats in
the territory.
The invitation to Bishop Zen was
extended by Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian shortly
after the standing committee of the National People's
Congress (NPC) ruled out universal suffrage in 2007 for
both Hong Kong's chief executive and in 2008 for its
Legislative Council, known as Legco. Bishop Zen, who
vigorously has aired his views in support of early
popular suffrage in Hong Kong, embarked on the visit -
which is being called a personal visit to his hometown
of Shanghai - in late April.
This unleashed a
storm of speculation about Beijing's motives.
Was the invitation part of Beijing's Hong Kong
appeasement policy aimed at building up a broad
consensus of support on the island, or an overture to
thaw its frosty relations with the Vatican, which has no
formal diplomatic relations with China. Beijing refuses
to accept the authority of Rome in religious matters and
has established its own pro-Beijing, patriotic national
Catholic church. The Vatican, however, does maintain
diplomatic relations with Taiwan, where many residents
are pro-independence. Some observers say China's might
be trying to woo the Vatican through Zen's visit in an
effort to further isolate Taiwan.
In a recent
interview, the bishop said that he had received a
personal invitation from Bishop Luxian and then paid a
three-day call to Shanghai lasting until the end of
April. He said he did not meet government officials or
discuss political issues during the stay, contrary to a
report from the Hong Kong-based South China Morning
Post.
"I appreciate the sincerity and
friendliness mainland authorities have shown, and I hope
this is the first step toward more communication," Zen
said, adding that he is looking forward to more
opportunities to visit the mainland and convey public
opinions in Hong Kong.
Born in Shanghai, the
bishop returned on his recent pilgrimage to the Far East
Basilica of St Mary and visited the grave of his
brother-in-law. It was his first trip to Shanghai since
1998 when he was barred from the mainland territory
because of his outspoken views in favor of democracy and
full human rights. Bishop Zen, however, said that
Beijing had never formally declared the ban against his
visits, and the authorities had not thwarted his
application for the required China reentry permit,
though he had been advised before his departure against
any reckless undertakings or statements in Shanghai.
Fierce advocate of human rights, religious
freedom An advocate for human rights and
religious freedom, Zen is known for his unreserved
criticism of the Hong Kong government. In some cases,
his dissenting opinions go much further to directly
confront the authorities. He is considered a real thorn
in the side of the leadership in Beijing, and so his
trip made headlines.
An example of his style and
principles dates back to 2001. Despite the government
ban on Hong Kong education for mainland-born children,
the bishop offered education in Catholic schools to
those children fighting for the right of residence in
Hong Kong.
After the NPC interpreted the Basic
Law, Hong Kong's constitution, on right of abode since
2001, a large number of mainland-born children, whose
father or mother is a Hong Kong resident, lost their
permanent residency in the territory. As a result, they
were not eligible for schooling in the territory.
The final decision overruled a previous and
opposite one by the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong
and generated much controversy. Zen's decision to
provide the concerned adolescents with educational
opportunities intensified the church's hostile
relationship with the government.
Another reason
the trip was conspicuous is Zen's status as the Hong
Kong Bishop. The Vatican, the power center for Catholics
and where the Pope reigns, still maintains diplomatic
relations with Taiwan, a renegade province in Beijing's
eyes, but a sovereign nation in the eyes of many
Taiwanese. Up to now, the tiny Vatican enclave remains
one of the few states that have not yet established a
diplomatic relationship with Beijing.
In
addition, China does not recognize the Vatican's supreme
authority regarding Catholic affairs in the country,
such as the doctrine regarding birth control and
abortion and the appointments of religious staff.
Beijing wants complete control of domestic religious
affairs, which the Vatican regards as unacceptable and a
violation of Beijing's own promise of religious freedom
to its people. Thus, over the past half century,
relations have been strained. Some die-hard Catholic
priests in China who refused to bow to Beijing were
imprisoned for years.
Beijing uses Zen to
slowly warm Vatican ties Some observers argue
that Bishop Zen's visit shows Beijing's determination to
improve its relationship with the Vatican, but in a
gradual, low-profile manner. According to some reports,
United States Vice President Dick Cheney conveyed a
message from the Vatican when he visited China in
mid-April.
Taiwan - arguably Beijing's major
political objective - witnessed chaos after the
controversial presidential election ended in late March,
and the dispute over the election results lingers.
Pro-Taiwan and, some say, pro-independence President
Chen Shui-bian was narrowly re-elected. Some predict
that Beijing will try to further isolate Taiwan, a
sticking point in frozen Sino-Vatican relations, by
aligning itself with the island's friendly states.
Further, the one-year-old leadership of Chinese
President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao is widely
expected to come up with new and more flexible ideas on
dealing with the Vatican.
A tenacious defender
of direct popular democracy, Bishop Zen has criticized
the unpopular administration of Hong Kong chief
executive Tung Chee-wah and steadfastly supported
universal suffrage - Beijing says that's the goal but
Hong Kong isn't ready yet. When the NPC delivered an
interpretation on April 6, Zen criticized the chief
executive for failing to convey Hong Kong's passionate
democratic sentiments to Beijing. After the NPC finally
ruled out direct elections for 2007 and 2008, he
declined extensive comment, but quoted the Bible to the
effect: "Remain silent when you are angry".
In
the territory, with more than 300,000 Roman Catholic
followers, Zen is even more influential than local
democratic parties, says Dr James Sung, a lecturer at
the City University of Hong Kong's School of Continuing
and Professional Education. Encouraged by Zen's
political enthusiasm, numerous Catholics took to the
streets in the unprecedented Grand March on July 1,
2003, to protest against Beijing's anti-subversion law,
Article 23, which curtails individual liberties.
Thus, according to Dr Sonny Lo, associate
professor in the department of politics and public
administration at the University of Hong Kong, by
inviting the bishop for a trip back home, the central
government may be trying to alienate Zen from his
anti-Beijing supporters, minimize his political charisma
and isolate other hard-core democrats.
(Copyright 2004 Asia Times Online Co, Ltd. All
rights reserved. Please contact content@atimes.com for information
on our sales and syndication policies.)
