Hong Kong's Democrats Meet to Review Progress Before Handover Anniversary

The leaders of Hong Kong's democratic movement have met to take stock of their progress and assess their relationship with China's Communist government, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese sovereignty. Joseph Popiolkowski reports from Hong Kong that the pro-democracy activists put out a call to action.

Cardinal Joseph Zen

The call from Cardinal Joseph Zen was loud and clear: Hong Kong's leaders must promote social justice and individual rights to achieve a peaceful society.

Zen was one of several leading advocates for multi-party politics and universal suffrage who attended a seminar Saturday led by Hong Kong's Democratic Party. They met three weeks ahead of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from British to Chinese rule.

Martin Lee, founder of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, stressed the importance of the "one country, two systems" concept in guaranteeing Hong Kong's autonomy as a Special Administrative Region (SAR). He said this structure is in danger of collapsing if Beijing continues to reinterpret it.

Martin Lee, founder of Hong Kong's Democratic Party

"What I'm afraid of is they will redefine 'one country, two systems,'" he said.  "They will move the goalposts. But if that were to happen, if that were to happen, it's an admission to the whole world and to our compatriots in Taiwan that 'one country, two systems' has failed."

The speakers took issue with remarks made this week by Wu Bangguo, head of the National People's Congress, China's parliament. He appeared to place limits on Hong Kong's autonomy by saying the only freedoms Hong Kong had were those granted by Beijing.

In response, the Democratic Party circulated a statement by Graham Watson, leader of the European Parliament's Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, in which he warned China against making such "unhelpful and divisive" claims.

He said China should not upset the applecart of international opinion - a point taken up by Gloria Fung, vice president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, a community organization in Canada, where many Hong Kong people have settled.

"Instead of remaining silent about the adverse changes taking place in Hong Kong SAR, we have chosen to take a proactive approach to express our concerns and make our voices heard both within Canada as well as to the governments of Hong Kong and China," she said.

Hong Kong's democratic movement hopes to mark the July 1 anniversary of the change in sovereignty with a march to rival that of July 1, 2003. Then, half a million people protested against proposed security legislation, and for more democracy. Since then, Hong Kong has received a new chief executive, but no further progress on democratic reforms.

Chinese president calls on developing nations to jointly meet challenges

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) poses for a group photo with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2nd L), Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (1st L), Mexican President Felipe Calderon (C) and South African President Thabo Mbeki ahead of their meeting in Berlin, capital of Germany, June 7, 2007. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao says developing countries should do more to meet the challenges that come with economic globalization. He made the call in a speech on the sidelines of the G8 where he also met leaders from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa.

Earlier on Thursday, President Hu also held meetings with his Nigerian counterpart, Umaru Yar'Adua and Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Hu Jintao says the world economy has seen a new round of growth and that developing countries are looking for ways to expand that also match their national conditions. He also noted that developing countries have become an important force in maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

But President Hu also pointed out that such countries are often disadvantaged in the course of world development and that economic globalization is presenting new challenges.

Hu Jintao says the populations of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico account for just over 40 percent of the world's total adding that the five major developing countries have an increasingly important place in global economy and trade.

President Hu put forward a three-point proposal to safeguard common interests, create favorable development conditions and boost coordinated development.

The first point is to enhance coordination and expand space for development. He says developing countries should urge the United Nations to boost input for development and strive to increase their say in the global economy. Hu Jintao has also stressed that developed countries should meet their commitments and provide more assistance for developing countries. He's suggested that developed countries write off or reduce debts, and increase investment in, and technology transfer to, their less developed counterparts.

Hu Jintao's second point is to step up cooperation, especially in such areas as trade, investment, personnel training, infrastructure, culture, education and health. He said new platforms, such as the Summit of South American-Arab Countries, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum, have also boosted South-South cooperation.

The last point he proposed was to maintain and improve meeting mechanisms. President Hu says the five countries should prepare well for meetings among their leaders and within the UN framework. He says they should also take follow-up steps afterwards, maintain close consultations, share experiences and expand common ground to achieve concrete progress.

Hu Jintao emphasized that China supports continued dialogue between developing and developed countries. He said it is necessary to increase the say of developing countries, and work to establish a new global partnership for development based on equality and mutual benefit.

In the meeting, the leaders from the five nations also pledged to abide by the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" while tackling climate change. They urged developed nations to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emission.

On the Doha round of WTO trade talks, the leaders said efforts should be made to conclude negotiations at an early date, and that results should reflect the interests and concerns of developing countries. They also urged developed nations to reduce subsidies for agricultural products and lower import tariffs.

Relief work continues in quake ravaged areas of Yunnan

3 killed, 300 injured as quake rocks Yunnan

A local resident clears the debris of his house following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007.[Xinhua]

Three people have been confirmed dead after a strong earthquake hit Southwest China's Yunnan Province. The quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, and has also injured more than 300 people.

Early on Sunday morning, an earthquake shook Hani and Yi Autonomous County of Ning'er, in Pu'er City. It caused significant damages to houses and infrastructure. Nearly all the shops in the city were forced to close. Many residents were evacuated.

More than 300 aftershocks were registered on Sunday, the strongest with a magnitude of 5.1. The local government has set up emergency shelters, and the wounded were rushed to hospital.

The quake is drawing the central government's attention. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Vice Premier Hui Liangyu have ordered the State Council and the local governments to help with recovery efforts.

The local government of Pu'er City has already allocated one million yuan for emergency relief. The provincial civil affairs department is sending tents, quilts, and clothes to the stricken area. And the Ministry of Civil Affairs has dispatched an emergency team as well.

Residents in neighboring cities like Lincang also felt the tremor, but damage and casualty reports are not yet available.

So far, 120 thousand residents have been evacuated. The repairing of infrastructure is underway.

Each step into the Pingxin Village shows traces of Sunday's nightmare. The earthquake destroyed this decade's old home and took the lives of those living in it.

Lu Fengjin is among those who suffered misfortune. She lost her grandson--a four and half year old, buried beneath fallen bricks. Her son and daughter-in-law were also injured.

Lu Fengjin said, "I miss my grandson. He was lovely and smart. He often said to me,I want to be a pilot. The child always drew planes on this board. And this is the only thing of his that's left. Our house is destroyed. We can do nothing ourselves but to wait for the government's help. They've already come to visit us. "

Pingxin village is one of the four worst hit areas. The locals have been evacuated to safe places. But many still try to return to what is left of their homes to retrieve those things they hold dear. But they know they must also move on and, rebuild their homes. They cannot cling to only memories.

From the mountainous villages, we traveled to the county square. Three to four families share one of these tents. Away from the shabby houses, people here are safe. And their hopes for a new start are encouraged by the visit of some special guests.

This working group from the State Council is in the county to help, as well as supervise the relief work. They are here to make sure the subsidies and relief materials will be put into place immediately.

Li Liguo, director, Yunnan earthquake working group, said, "We've been meeting all of the basic needs from the affected locals who have been left homeless by the earthquake. The people are quite stable right now. Relief materials from the central government will be put in place shortly. Local authorities are doing this for the time being. "

With another shipment of relief materials on the way, more locals will be able to get tents for temporary housing. But it will still take more time for all of these people to rebuild their lives, and return to new homes.

China again expresses strong displeasure to Japan on Lee Teng-hui´s visit

China and Costa Rica have established diplomatic ties. Here in Beijing, the Foreign Ministry says it marks a brand-new stage in the development of bilateral relations.

But, in other news, officals have voiced China's dissatisfaction with Japan for allowing former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui to visit the Yasukuni Shrine.

China and Costa Rica have announced they will establish diplomatic ties, after the Latin American country agreed to break official relations with Taiwan. A foreign ministry spokeswoman says the move is in the interests of peoples of both countries. She also stressed the importance of the One-China policy.

Jiang Yu, spokeswoman Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China has established diplomatic ties with 169 countries. The One-China policy has been widely accepted worldwide."

Some Central and Latin American nations haven't established diplomatic ties with China. Jiang says China would like to set up and develop normal state relations with these countries, and hopes they will change their stance on the Taiwan issue.

Jiang has also expressed China's strong dissatisfaction with Japan for allowing former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui's visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine.

Jiang said, "We all know what Lee Teng-hui wants judging from what he has done in Japan. China expresses strong dissatisfaction, again, towards Japan giving permission to his visit."

Lee Teng-hui visited the Yasukuni Shrine Thursday, where his elder brother is enshrined with Japanese world war two criminals.