Hong Kong leader apologizes over "insulting" 1989 massacre comments

May 14, 2009, 10:48 GMT

   Hong Kong - Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader was forced to apologize Thursday after suggesting to legislators that most people in the city wanted to put the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre behind them.

   Pro-democracy legislators staged a furious walkout after Donald Tsang's remarks which come weeks before the 20th anniversary of the June 4 massacre in which hundreds and possibly thousands of student demonstrators were killed in Beijing.

   Asked for his views on the anniversary in a question and answer session with legislators, Tsang commented 'time has passed' and said China had made great economic strides, adding: 'My view represents the overall view of the community.'

   He went on: 'The incident (the 1989 massacre) took place a long time ago and our country has achieved remarkable achievements in many areas. The country has progressed and I am sure ... many people agree with my judgement.'

   Tsang's remarks led to chaotic scenes as pro-democracy legislators staged a mass walkout in the chamber, where they make up around two-thirds of the 30 directly elected members. Another 30 legislators are picked by special interest groups.

   Pro-democracy legislator Margaret Ng said: 'I think Donald Tsang's answer is downright insulting. He does not only insult every one of us in the room. He insults the whole of Hong Kong.

   'To say that China has become economically successful and therefore we should forget the massacre is a cold-blooded insult.'

   Tsang later apologized to legislators for making members 'so agitated' and then issued a further apology to reporters, saying he was wrong to imply that he spoke for the whole of Hong Kong.

   Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong take part in an annual candle-light vigil to remember the victims of the 1989 massacre in Beijing, the only place on Chinese soil where a commemoration is allowed.

   The biggest demonstration in modern Hong Kong history involving an estimated 1 million-plus people took place immediately after the 1989 killings.

   Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 after 156 years as a British colony under a 'one country, two systems' arrangement that guarantees freedom of speech and expression for its 7 million citizens.

   Chief executive Donald Tsang was appointed by a pro-Beijing election committee in 2005, succeeding the unpopular Tung Chee-hwa whose bumbling leadership led to mass anti-government demonstrations.