Representative Christopher H. Smith, Chair
Senator Jeff Merkley, Cochair
Hong Kong After the Elections: The Future of 'One Country, Two Systems'
192 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
| Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 1:00pm
Transcript (PDF) (Text)
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) announced a formal hearing on "Hong Kong After the Elections: The Future of 'One Country, Two Systems'" to be held on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 1:00 PM in Room 192 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. CECC Chairman Jim Leach (R-IA) will preside, with Co-Chairman Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
The September 12 elections for the Legislative Council capped an active political year in Hong Kong. Earlier in 2004, popular demonstrations in support of further democratic development in Hong Kong were met by central PRC government announcements postponing into the indefinite future direct election of all legislators and the chief executive. These developments have called into question whether the concept of "one country, two systems, enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law, is viable. This CECC hearing sought to understand the future of constitutional development and universal suffrage in Hong Kong in the aftermath of the September 12 election.
Opening Statements
Representative Jim Leach, Chairman
Senator Chuck Hagel, Cochairman
Witnesses
Panel 1
Mr. Randall Schriver, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
Panel 2
Dr. Michael Davis, Robert and Marion Short Visiting Professor, Notre Dame Law School
Ms. Veron Hung, Associate, China Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Dr. William Overholt, Asia Policy Chair, Center for Asia and Pacific Policy, RAND Corporation