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Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Two Pro-China Parties Announce Merger
Beijing Pins Hope On Merger
The mainland hopes that merger of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) and the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance (HKPA) will consolidate its grip on the Election Committee which will elect the next chief executive in 2007.
According to a source, the mainland's Central Liaison Office has welcomed the merger of the two parties.
In the short term, Monday's merger will also been seen as an attempt by Beijing to use the influence of two groups to ensure a favorable Election Committee selection.
There are now 800 members on the committee. The government is still considering proposals that will either enlarge the group or maintain the status quo. A decision will have to be reached some time this year as voting for the committee begins next year.
The pro-democrat camp had 120 members in the last committee and Beijing wants to make sure they do not enlarge their representation.
``It is urgent to set the scene by strengthening our [DAB] political muscle first. Next year will see the election for the Election Committee,'' a DAB core member who declined to be named said. ``We [the pro-Beijing camp] should start preparing now.
``The merger will give us greater influence in the Election Committee and hence make us the kingmakers.''
Central Liaison officials, who helped to form the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance in 1994, also felt obliged to install a strong united front locally to support the Beijing-backed SAR government.
It is believed the Central Liaison Office approached the DAB leadership last year about a possible merger with the HKPA after the latter failed to win a seat in Legco and appeared to be a political party on the verge of extinction. At the same time, the DAB became the biggest political party in the 60-seat Legislative Council with 12 seats.
The merger also coincides with the long-term wish of the DAB to transform itself from a political party for the grassroots to one that represents a wide cross-section of Hong Kong.
The HKPA comprises deputies in the National People's Congress as well as representatives in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and claims to represent pro-Beijing professionals.
The merger will also put the DAB in a stronger position to recommend party members.
Copyright 2005, The Standard
23:33 Posted in Hong Kong Tales | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Democracy