The Standard - Consul calls for more democracy - Metro Section
The Standard - Consul calls for more democracy - Metro Section: "Consul calls for more democracy
Doug Crets
April 26, 2005
American Consul General James Keith bid goodbye to Hong Kong on Monday with a thinly veiled call for greater democracy and an insistence that Hong Kong people deserve the trust of their government.
'If you look at a people with the wisdom and vision and the perseverance of the Hong Kong people ... how can you draw any other conclusion but that you ought to trust them, and help them to help you to lead the way,'' he said.
Looking back on three eventful years in Hong Kong, Keith gave his last formal speech Monday at an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon. During his time here Keith said he has come to believe that more change is bound to come in the long run but the secret to success lay in trust and community participation in both politics and economic restructuring.
``Whether it's Article 23 ... or the more current debates over the interpretation of the Basic Law, it really boils down to pretty clear and straightforward concepts,'' he said.
Keith said the American government maintained a continued dialogue with the government during his tenure over a core principle: ``all over the world, the aspirations of the people ought to be given consideration,'' he said.
Keith, who previously served as the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs at the US Department of State, is rumored to be taking on the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs within a few weeks.
Keith noted recent political developments spoke to the need to embrace change and progress leading the city towards 2047, the year Hong Kong becomes fully absorbed in China and would no longer need a mini constitution.
``Change is hard and we have t"
Doug Crets
April 26, 2005
American Consul General James Keith bid goodbye to Hong Kong on Monday with a thinly veiled call for greater democracy and an insistence that Hong Kong people deserve the trust of their government.
'If you look at a people with the wisdom and vision and the perseverance of the Hong Kong people ... how can you draw any other conclusion but that you ought to trust them, and help them to help you to lead the way,'' he said.
Looking back on three eventful years in Hong Kong, Keith gave his last formal speech Monday at an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon. During his time here Keith said he has come to believe that more change is bound to come in the long run but the secret to success lay in trust and community participation in both politics and economic restructuring.
``Whether it's Article 23 ... or the more current debates over the interpretation of the Basic Law, it really boils down to pretty clear and straightforward concepts,'' he said.
Keith said the American government maintained a continued dialogue with the government during his tenure over a core principle: ``all over the world, the aspirations of the people ought to be given consideration,'' he said.
Keith, who previously served as the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs at the US Department of State, is rumored to be taking on the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs within a few weeks.
Keith noted recent political developments spoke to the need to embrace change and progress leading the city towards 2047, the year Hong Kong becomes fully absorbed in China and would no longer need a mini constitution.
``Change is hard and we have t"
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