Tung adds voice to constitutional debate and condemns democratic delegation; meanwhile Washington rolls out the red carpet for Lee and colleagues

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa warned that "Hong Kong's constitutional development cannot reach the sky in a single step", in his first recent public statement on the issue of constitutional reform. This is a clear indication that Tung believes it unlikely that Hong Kong will have universal suffrage in 2007.

Speaking on March 4 at a reception for NPC and CPPCC delegates in Beijing, it is the first occasion on which Tung has stated his position on patriotism and constitutional reform. Previously he had insisted that he did not want to prejudice the consultation conducted by the constitutional taskforce. In his statement Mr Tung announced that democracy in Hong Kong can not be achieved "in a single step", and repeated the need, as prescribed in the Basic Law, for democratic developments to "be gradual and take full account of Hong Kong's actual situation". He also stressed the need to adhere to the principle of equal participation and an executive-led government.

In his speech Mr Tung also spoke at length on the subject of patriotism. He reiterated the necessity, as previously spelt out by Beijing, that "those who participate in the governing [of Hong Kong] must, must, be patriots forming the main body of it". He then used this argument as grounds for attacking the visit by Martin Lee and other democrats to Washington.

"Under normal circumstances, anywhere in the world, it shouldn't be an issue of any problem. Loving the country is the only proper and justifiable thing to do," he said. "As to what is unpatriotic? Listen to their words and watch their deeds. We all know in our hearts. ... Hong Kong's political development is a family affair, it's a country's affair. It's our own affair. Foreigners should not intervene. We cannot tolerate foreign intervention." Then raising the tone of his voice, Tung added, "More so, we should not go overseas and invite foreigners to interfere in our internal affairs. What does this have to say? This hinges on loving the country and loving Hong Kong, or not loving the country and not loving Hong Kong."

Similarly, other mainland officials have joined the condemnation of Martin Lee's visit to the States. Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, the highest ranking mainland official to condemn the visit so far, said the democrats' visit was the "biggest object of universal ridicule" and served as an invitation for foreigners to interfere in China's affairs. He also reiterated that Hong Kong's democracy was the internal affair of the city and the central government. "[On] this problem [we] should believe, we Chinese, including the compatriots in Hong Kong, have [reached] the level, the ability and wisdom to handle it properly", he said. "There is no need at all to run overseas and pay a visit to a temple, inviting foreign Buddhas to say this and that. This is the most comical thing in the world." However, when asked whether he agreed with Vice-Minister of Commerce An Min's comments that the democrats were "clowns" and that the situation in Hong Kong would deteriorate, Tang commented, "I have not said so."

The Foreign Ministry in Beijing also stepped up its admonition to the US not to interfere in "internal affairs" over democracy in Hong Kong. Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Beijing had already stated its position to Washington and expressed its concerns. "The Chinese people are wise enough to handle Hong Kong affairs according to the law, and any random comments from external forces are not necessary", he said.

Whilst the scathing attacks continue from mainland and Hong Kong officials, Washington continues to roll out the red carpet for Martin Lee and his allies. Lee has been invited to meet with a series of high-level politicians and advisers, including President George W Bush's national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, whom he met last night in advance of the US Senate hearing on Hong Kong's democracy. It was also revealed that he would hold separate meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage later today. The high-profile reception that Lee has received indicates that the debate over Hong Kong's political reforms has been elevated to a major foreign policy issue for the United States. Lee commented, "It is good for Hong Kong because I think it's important to keep Hong Kong on their radar screen." Moreover, Lee dismissed criticisms from Tung Chee-Hwa and other officials that it was inappropriate to discuss Hong Kong affairs with outsiders. "Even Beijing's leaders visit many countries to discuss our country. Not long ago, Tung himself travelled abroad and talked about Hong Kong. There are no specific laws stating that only the chief executive could talk about matters [relating to] Hong Kong."

The meeting with Rice "went very well indeed," Lee said. "She is very much up on the issues in Hong Kong and very concerned." In a statement outside the White House after the meeting, he reiterated his conviction that it was an opportune time to introduce democracy to Hong Kong. "Although there is lots of pressure now, we think we have a bright prospect. 'One country, two systems' is workable. And we have high hopes of the new Chinese leadership because when our leaders - Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao - visited Europe and the US, they also talked about how important the people's will is," he said.

He repeated his wish to hold discussions with Beijing over the future of democracy, but expressed frustration at Beijing's refusal to allow this. In response to a mainland official's comments that Lee was daydreaming when he spoke of visiting the mainland, Mr Lee commented, "Yes, I am dreaming. But the question is why a Chinese citizen in Hong Kong has to go back to his home country in a dream?" Lee continued, "At least we can come to the US to speak the words in our hearts, although we can't go back to the mainland, which is not ideal. ... If the central government announced today it would take its hands off the democratic development of Hong Kong and let it be done by Hong Kong people, I would not attend any of my meetings here," he said. He added that Beijing was applying greater political pressure on Hong Kong democrats than at any time since the handover in 1997 but that this came as no surprise to him. "The only way for me not to upset [Beijing] would be to do nothing and leave politics."

In the Senate hearing, Lee contended that there were no grounds for critics to question his loyalty to his country. He argued that it was well known that he supported reunification with the mainland for Hong Kong and Taiwan, and opposed the independence of Taiwan and Tibet. But he added, "I will never be inhibited about speaking."

Lee proceeded to tell the hearing that full, accountable democracy in Hong Kong is essential to continue to ensure effective governance and to maintain freedoms and the rule of law. He commented that "the poor performance of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's administration had reminded Hong Kong people that a democratic and accountable system ... is essential for our future." He also refuted an accusation from mainland officials that he supported complete autonomy for Hong Kong, by stating that it would be "groundless" to equate demand for democracy to a quest for independence.

In defiance of critics who claim he purports to give Hong Kong a bad name, Mr Lee praised the Beijing leadership's actions over the SARS crisis and the economy. He said that President Hu and Premier Wen had won the admiration of many people in Hong Kong, for their handling of the SARS crisis and for the way they were willing to listen to popular concerns about the economy and tried to revive it.

He quoted Mr Hu's speech to the Australian parliament in 2003, in which he said, "Democracy is the common pursuit of mankind, and all countries must earnestly protect the democratic right of their people." Mr Lee told the senators, "I couldn't agree more."