DATELINE: HONG KONG

The permanent tension between order and freedom: Newt Gingrich.
Introduction: Mr. Gingrich became Speaker of the US House of Representatives in 1995 after having served as Republican Whip from 1989 to 1994. His biographical notes describe him as having co-founded the Congressional Military Reform Caucus, the Conservative Opportunity Society and the Congressional Space Caucus. This address, his only public speech on a ten day Asian tour, was made on 27.3.97, on the eve of his visit to greater China.
Freedom of the press was a God given right, Newt Gingrich told Hong Kong today, only moments before again refusing questions from the attendant media.

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives was in the British colony leading a twelve member congressional delegation visiting South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China. He was addressing the Hong Kong chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce, whose members gave him a standing ovation.

"China needs to understand," he said, "that political freedom must accompany economic freedom".

Mr. Gingrich said that if Beijing tried to restrict the freedoms already enjoyed by Hong Kong, there would be "political and economic consequences". America could not remain silent about the lack of basic freedoms; of speech, religion, assembly, the press - in China.

"The truth is that any effort to provide a partial freedom to any people, to tell them they can be free in one sphere but not in another, will ultimately fail," he said.

Mr. Gingrich said the United States supported the Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's reversion to China but it also expected China honour its pledge of "one country-two systems". The US Congress was concerned that China had taken steps to weaken Hong Kong's Bill of Rights and would dissolve its elected Legislative Council.

"We believe the preserving the key elements of Hong Kong society -- the rule of law, an independent civil service and judiciary, respect for civil liberties, freedom of religion , a free press -- is essential to Hong Kong's future." American values and American interests would suffer if Hong Kong lost these things, he said.

"Ultimately, we believe the transition for Hong Kong will succeed if it leads to broader economic and political freedom for both 'systems'. And as Americans, we believe that freedom strengthens both the individual and society. Our country reacts faster to crises, rectifies its mistakes more rapidly and maintains a more dynamic national consensus, precisely because it has a freely elected government based on 'We the People'."

"As Americans, we believe our freedom is not the gift of any government. It is a right bestowed by our Creator," Mr. Gingrich said. "Since each of us is uniquely endowed by the Creator with inalienable rights, there is and cannot be a single dream. Dictatorships may marshal the obedience of their unthinking subjects, but democrats rely on the unique spark of each person's God given talent. It may be a far less orderly society, but it is a vastly superior one," Mr. Gingrich said.

The meeting was advised that the Speaker would accept questions," ...from anyone in the room; unless of course you happen to be a journalist".

Alan Knight

1