IN A move aimed at restoring confidence in Hong Kong's autonomy after it reverts to China on July 1st, its future leader, Mr Tung Cheehwa, has pledged that there will be no brutal suppression of demonstrations in the territory like the bloody crackdown in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Few rate the likelihood of a Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong as very high - the Chinese government has even promised that its garrison will not have any tanks - hut such a commitment by Mr Tung was badly needed because of widespread local and international apprehensions that his proposed restrictions on the freedom to demonstrate could lead to a confrontation with Chinese forces.
Asked by ABC News Nightline programme if the 1989 events could be repeated in Hong Kong, Mr Tung said: "No, it can't happen here. It will not happen here. I will not allow it to happen here. Demonstration is part of our culture, demonstration is part of life." He said people "will be free to demonstrate as they please, but I would hope they would abide by the laws of Hong Kong if they wish to do so".
As business tycoon turned politician, Mr Tung has been losing a public relations battle over his proposed amendments to Hong Kong's Societies and Public Order ordinances which would oblige demonstrators to seek police permission for protests rather than simply give notification.
Street demonstrations in Hong Kong are almost a daily event but are banned in mainland China, where the government clearly feels that public displays of protest would be interpreted as a sign of weakness.
On Tuesday, for example, Democratic Party members held up a banner in the street to voice their objections to changes in the law and order ordinances, and yesterday more than 100 members of Hong Kong families separated from their relatives in China staged a noisy protest outside the legislature to demand they be allowed to settle in the territory.
Mr Martin Lee, leader of the Democratic Party, said: "Party colleagues and lawsuit Mr Tung's matching words with action and leaving Hong Kong's laws on assembly and other freedoms intact." He said it was an encouraging statement from the Chief Executive designate "which recognises the reality that Hong Kong is a free society where people regularly exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully within the law".
He added, however: "There is a significant discrepancy between what Mr Tung is saying, and what he has proposed doing.
Mr Tung's remark came on the last day of a consultation period in which the public was asked to comment on his plan to amend the relevant ordinances and to curtail foreign funding of political groups.
Prodemocracy parties, human rights groups, unions and churches have opposed the changes, introduced by the outgoing Governor, Mr Chris Patten, in recent years, in written submissions. The British and US governments have also voiced their criticism.
On Tuesday, 154 academics warned the shipping magnate that his reputation as the territory's future leader could suffer if he turned a deaf ear to opposition to the moves. They said the posthandover laws were every broad and unspecific" and gave discretionary power to the authorities to restrict freedom of association and assembly.
Groups representing industry, commerce, pro China parties and pro Beijing trade unions support Mr Tung's proposals, which echo China's stated wishes for the future governance of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region.
China's Foreign Minister, Mr Qian Qichen, also issued assurances that Hong Kong would retain great autonomy, "unmatched in the world". This would include "executive power, legislative power and independent judicial power and the power of final trial", he said in Washington. The Hong Kong government welcomed the pledge.
Beijing is responsible for defence and foreign affairs in Hong Kong after British rule ends on June 30th. Otherwise, internal matters are the responsibility of the government of the SAR.
If Mr Tung proves unwilling to take into account opposing views, he risks being accused of acting as Beijing's "rubber stamp", said Mr Sing Ming, an associate professor at City University.