TRUDY RUBIN Distrust of democracy is hurting China

While the United States is promoting democracy as the best global political model, China is holding up a competitive theory to the world.
A September trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Hong Kong gave me a chance to examine the Chinese model.
Here is its essence: If you develop a state-directed version of capitalism and keep the economy booming, the population won't care about democratic freedoms. People will choose stability and growth over messy democracy that could lead to chaos.
The China model is attractive to other authoritarians, such as Russia's Vladimir Putin. Yet, for China itself, the model is seriously flawed, especially if it continues to be rigidly embraced by Beijing.
That excess rigidity is on clear display in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's beauty and energy were not dimmed by its return to Chinese rule in 1997. Its elegant skyscrapers still provide one of the world's most romantic backdrops, set against the famous Peak, from whose heights one gazes down on glorious Victoria Harbor.
Rule of law
But the former British colony brought something special to China that is being squandered by Beijing: extensive experience with rule of law and democratic norms such as the right of free assembly and a free press. "We had the fruits of democracy without the tree," an elected government, I was told by Martin Lee, one of Hong Kong's leading democracy campaigners and a member of its legislative council.
Beijing could have viewed Hong Kong's long experience with rule of law as a role model for the mainland.
The Chinese government may be correct that most people in mainland China are more concerned about getting rich than getting the vote. But the rising tensions provoked by swift economic change can't be contained unless the growing complaints of the Chinese public are addressed. That will require more popular participation in the system -- and will definitely require development of rule of law.
Hong Kong officials could have mentored Chinese counterparts on how to gradually introduce democratic and legal systems. Hong Kong businessmen are already advising mainland entrepreneurs on international business tactics. The Hong Kong stock market provides lessons for the Shanghai exchange, which is faltering from lack of transparency.
Instead, Beijing has moved to slap Hong Kong's democrats down.
Hong Kong's Basic Law provides for "one country, two systems," allowing it more freedoms than the rest of China. This autonomous region was supposed to move slowly toward full popular election of its chief executive, as early as 2007, and of the legislature, possibly in 2008 (only half the legislature is now popularly elected). Beijing was guaranteed a veto over any political changes.
Full suffrage
In April the Beijing government unilaterally reinterpreted the Basic Law to decree that only it could initiate political change in Hong Kong. It ruled out full, direct elections by 2007-08 and set no date for permitting full suffrage. Some hints from Beijing indicate that a full vote might be put off for decades.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, essentially handpicked by Beijing, says stability and prosperity are more important than democracy to Hong Kong residents. More to the point, he says, "We cannot import a system which is unpleasant to Beijing."
Why is the Beijing government so panicky about democracy in Hong Kong?
"They are afraid," says Lee, a wiry, dapper, determined crusader who met me in a spartan legislative office. "Control is in their blood," he went on.
What does Beijing fear? "They don't want to see democracy spread in the rest of China," Lee says. Beijing has watched a pro-independence president gain reelection in nearby Taiwan, the island democracy over which China claims sovereignty. The Chinese Communist leadership fears what a full vote might produce in Hong Kong.
Lee says Beijing leaders are mistaken: "There is nobody in Hong Kong who thinks of independence." He says Beijing "can perfectly control the Chinese people who live in large cities and are working to get rich. They won't demand full democracy for the foreseeable future."
But Hong Kong is different, with its educated middle-class population familiar with democratic tenets.
X Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.