PUBLIC confidence in Hong Kong's future leader, Mr Tung Chee hwa, appears to have slipped as a result of his proposals to restrict rights of assembly and protest in the territory after it reverts to China on July 1st.
The evidence, in two polls, has encouraged Democratic Party activists in Hong Kong to increase their international lobbying efforts to put pressure on China and the incoming leader over the Beijing inspired plans to cut back civil liberties.
A poll conducted by the South China Morning Post showed 45 per cent of 586 respondents felt they had "less trust" in Mr Tung safeguarding Hong Kong's interests than when he was chosen in November. This compared to 32 per cent when the question was asked in February.
On Sunday a public opinion survey in the Chinese language daily Ming Pao showed a similar slide in popularity for Mr Tung. A poll of 803 residents indicated his approval rating had hit an all time low in the two days after he proposed amending the Public Order Ordinance and the Societies Ordinance to restrict the right to protest and curb foreign funding for political and other groups.
The view of his fitness for the post slipped by 5 per cent to 4.65 points on a scale of 10. When he was nominated in November the Shanghai born shipping magnate won an immediate vote of confidence in opinion polls for his ability to run Hong Kong after the departure of British Governor Mr Chris Patten. In the South China Morning Post poll, 66.4 per cent said they were still confident Mr Tung and the handover body would uphold the one country two systems formula under which China has agreed that Hong Kong should be treated as a capitalist region with considerable autonomy for 50 years.
Mr Martin Lee, leader of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, is meeting leaders in Washington to lobby for opposition to Mr Tung's proposals. He is expected to meet President Clinton this week.
The Chinese appointed provisional legislature which will take over from the partly elected legislative council is proceeding with readings on more than 10 Bills which Mr Tung wishes to become law on July 1st. To avoid threats of legal action by the Democratic Party, the 60 member body is meeting across the border in Shenzhen. The last session was on Saturday.
Beijing considers the curtailing of civil liberties and the disbandment of the legislative council as necessary to comply with its Basic Law for the territory and prevent Hong Kong being used as a Trojan Horse to undermine the communist government in China.
Legal sources in Hong Kong say there could be a series of acrimonious legal challenges to the new laws if they do not accord with Hong Kong's existing body of legislation. The controversial amendments to the Public Order and to the Societies Ordinance will be presented to the incoming lawmakers after a three week consultation period when Hong Kong people can make their views known.
The official Chinese media have been explaining how Hong Kong laws will remain largely the same after the handover. "Most laws that are in force in the mainland, such as the civil law, criminal law, law of civil proceedings and law of criminal proceedings will not be applicable in Hong Kong," the China Daily said yesterday. "National laws relating to defence and foreign affairs will aye applicable."
It said, however, that if "turmoil" in Hong Kong endangered national unity or security "that is beyond the control of the regional government, the central government may issue an order applying relevant national laws to the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region."