Date: Fri, 9 May 97 08:46:31 CDTBrussels, April 29, 1997 (ICFTU OnLine): The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, an independent organisation affiliated to the ICFTU, today denounced the latest manoeuvre by the pro-Chinese trade unions to support Beijing in its efforts to destroy the democratic movement in Hong Kong after it is handed back to China on July 1, 1997.
According to a Hong Kong newspaper, in its Monday (April 28) edition, the pro-China Federation of Trade Unions, FTU, has expressed its support for initiatives aimed at banning the external funding of organisations that "carry out political activities" in the future Special Administrative Area, and for good measure has asked that this ban be extended to the financing by the Chinese communist party of its satellites in the territory.
"The proposal of the pro-Chinese unions is simply aimed at sugaring the pill, but it is clear that the measures foreseen by Beijing are aimed principally at silencing human rights organisations" a leader of the independent trade union told ICFTU OnLine.
The plan to adopt a law, after July 1, banning the external funding of organisations with political activities was announced this month by the future administrative head of Hong Kong, Mr. Tung Chee-Hwa, appointed by Beijing.
The bill has already been denounced by human rights organisations and by the independent trade unions in Hong Kong which consider that it is "neither necessary nor amendable". According to the independent trade unions, the definition of "political" activities contained in the bill is open to many interpretations and would give the new authorities the right to eliminate any democratic movement, including the independent trade unions. The FTU, which has never hidden its sympathies with the Beijing regime, could very well do without the financial support of the Chinese communist party, as it receives income from the food stores and other commercial activities it carries out in the territory.
The CTU is one of two organisations affiliated to the ICFTU in Hong Kong and represents nearly 100,000 members.
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