Donald Tsang on Hardtalk

It has been 8 years since Britain handed Hong Kong back to China but many in the territory feel that the Chinese mainland wields too much power and stifles the high degree of autonomy it was promised.

In the week that London plays host to the Chinese President, Stephen Sackur talks to Hong Kong's new puppet Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, in a BBC HARDtalk interview on 8th November and asks whether he believes the idea of "one country, two systems" is working? In the interview, Tsang shamelessly tried to defends his undemocratic election reform package.

Click on the button more to watch the full interview.

Below are some of the main quotes from the interview:

When will Hong Kong get to have full democracy?

Stephen Sackur: "You as Chief Executive of Hong Kong have an obligation - as seen by the people of Hong Kong - to push as hard as you can for more democratisation. Are you prepared to do that?"

Donald Tsang: "I am doing what I think is necessary in the national interest of Hong Kong to produce the best package of proposals for change and this is what we have done. It is now on the table. It's out of extensive consultation in Hong Kong and the proposal reflects the wishes of the people."

Stephen Sackur referred to the results of a Chinese University poll published last week (week of Oct 31) which suggested that "nearly 70% of Hong Kong people want full democracy by 2012ˇ˛ - and that they wanted a date for direct elections.

"Will you make a commitment on this programme that you will seek universal suffrage for your job and the Legislative Council by 2012?"

DT: "I have committed that we are going to discuss this matter in a commission which has been set up. What we do now is to settle the arrangement for elections 2007-8 and then discuss the further things. We are an open society. As Chief Executive, I am responsible to the people of Hong Kong. I also have responsibility to Central People's Government."

SS: "When will Hong Kong get universal suffrage?"

DT: "We have 150 years of colonial rule. We had no elections for 140 years. It was only in the latter part of British sovereignty that elections were allowed. We started rather late in the day - look at the progress we have made in the last 8 years."

SS: ˇ§In your heart, do you think that the Beijing authorities want to move quickly to full democracy in Hong Kong?ˇ¨

DT: ˇ§I believe that this is something that they will need to be persuaded. As soon as we are able to demonstrate that Hong Kong will not splinter off into some foreign element with the nation as a whole, I think we will be there.ˇ¨

Chinaˇ¦s economic development vs democratisation

SS: Do you think it was a mistake for Mr Hu (Chinese President) to focus on economic development rather than democracy?

DT: ˇ§Heˇ¦s done the right thing.ˇ¨

DT adds that Hong Kong was far more economically advanced and more politically astute than the rest of China. ˇ§In mainland China", he said ˇ§the fundamental issue was survival with some places suffering from dire poverty. So it is absolutely right on the mainland. Stability, economic advancement is very important.ˇ¨

Human Rights /Tiananmen Square

Stephen Sackur put to Donald Tsang that Hong Kong people look at the human rights policy in Beijing - and worry a great deal.

DT: ˇ§We in Hong Kong enjoy the full range of human rights as any UK citizen.ˇ¨

SS: ˇ§There are still people being arrested for reminding people what happened in Tiananmen Square.ˇ¨

DT: ˇ§We share everyone elseˇ¦s concern about what happens elsewhere.ˇ¨

SS: ˇ§Tens of thousands protested on the 16th anniversary of Tiananmen Square - protests in Hong Kong.ˇ¨

Stephen suggested that if this had happened in China, the protesters would have been arrested.

DT: ˇ§We have different laws in different placesˇK Chinese leaders respect the way we exercise our rights and conduct our own way of life. I must respect Chinese authorities to conduct their own affairs.ˇ¨

Case of Ching Cheong

Stephen Sackur brought up the case of Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong who has been detained in China since April - for 6 months - on espionage charges.

Amnesty International says that he has been denied access to lawyers and has been in solitary confinement. ˇ§He is from Hong Kong - What representations have you made on his behalf?ˇ¨

DT: ˇ§We have done what we believe is necessary ˇK. he is on charge of espionage in China. I am doing the best I can to - in a way - provide access for his family to meet him. I have urged Chinese authorities to bring him to open trial as soon as possible - and I hope that happens soon.ˇ¨