Response Piece

Ming Pao Daily: 2008 - 01 -06
http://specials.mingpao.com/cfm/News.cfm?SpecialsID=137&Page=1&News=7deecba3b205002bdffc2029a617002bf7cc1b3f3f46003bf7d50a1f08660037&ChineseName=%B1M%AEa%B5%FB%BD%D7
Written by Dr. Kenneth Chan Ka Lok from Department of Government and International Studies - Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University

Dr. Kenneth Chan holds a strong belief in the need of universal suffrage in Hong Kong, but he sees problems that exist in the central government of China. Universal suffrage means that everyone is equal and has the same right. However, the central government of China is defending for the functional constituency, a professional or special interest group involved in the electoral process, which makes its promise of universal suffrage unreliable. The truth is that there is too much ambiguity that it is not fair to claim success in striving for universal suffrage in 2017. Dr. Chan also argues that the privileged class is those who are “blocking the way into democracy.” Dr. Chan criticized on the argument that the public is slowing down the negotiation between the pro-democracy camp and the government by demonstration.
I totally agree with Chan’s opinion. There are many factors that can affect the decision in whether universal suffrage can be executed in Hong Kong in 2017. In addition, keeping the functional constituency means giving overriding power to certain people. This will go against the basic concept of universal suffrage. Those privileged class are more aware of their own goodness than the commonweal. Chan mentioned that during the demonstration on 13/1/2008, many elders had participated. This should act as a sign that we should fight for universal suffrage for the elders in my society. I think Chan has a point there. The pro-democracy camp has been claiming to fight for our future, but we should also take care of the needs of those who spent their life to contribute in the development of our society. Society is asking for democracy, and we should fight for it.