Last week Hong Kong legislator Martin Lee, along with three other fellow members, attended a hearing organized by the US Senates' East Asian and Pacific Subcommittee on the drive for democratic reforms in Hong Kong. 

They made their trip to the United States at a sensitive time when the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is discussing its future development and the way to better implement the "One country, two systems" policy.

Despite that, Lee has tried to justify the trip as a move to defend Hong Kong's democracy and freedom. But his action exposed an ulterior motive: an attempt to invite foreign interference in China's internal affairs.

Hence, there is no need to argue with Lee on whether his US trip was intended to help or hurt Hong Kong.

The strong revulsion from Hong Kong media and most residents of the territory underlined the fact that most of his fellow countrymen are against the effort, which is clearly aimed at internationalizing the HKSAR's development.

As a member of the Legislative Council, Lee is duty-bound to safeguard the interests of Hong Kong as a special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China.

That's because he has sworn allegiance to the HKSAR in line with Article 104 of the Basic Law, or the mini-constitution for the territory, in his capacity of legislator.

Political development in Hong Kong, including the election of its chief executive and legislators, is a domestic affair which falls to the jurisdiction of the central government and the HKSAR government. Public discussions on the issue should be constructive and reasonable as well as conform to the Basic Law.

The Chinese people, who have the resolve, ability and wisdom to properly handle the issue, neither welcomes nor needs foreign intervention in their domestic affair.

As a politician, Lee should know that bringing an internal issue to foreign countries and begging support from foreign forces might complicate the process of finding a solution to the issue, thus eventually hurt the fundamental interests of the Hong Kong people and delay the democratic process.

Therefore, it only takes a little common sense to see through Lee and his supporters' real intention to disrupt Hong Kong's economic prosperity and social stability.

They will never have the opportunity to accomplish that undeclared goal.

Few in Hong Kong today question the central government's sincerity in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle and its ability to provide all-weather support to the region.

The experience gained in the post-hand over era has taught Hong Kong residents from all walks of life they should concentrate on uniting to overcome difficulty and constantly strive for a better future for the territory.

(China Daily March 8, 2004)