Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

Alan Leong, a member of the Legislative Council and former Civic Party candidate for Chief Executive of Hong Kong, ran against Donald Tsang, the incumbent Chief Executive, in Hong Kong’s first contested election since China took control of the former British colony in 1997.  Since the election was decided by votes within an 800 member body, the majority of which were selected by China, there was no way Mr. Leong could win.  Nevertheless, surveys showed that 86% of Hong Kong’s population watched the two debates between the contenders, along with many in neighboring Guangdong Province.

In an informal conversation led by Amb. Harvey Feldman, Mr. Leong will discuss the prospects for creating a civil society in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the extent of Beijing’s interference, and the prospects for continuation of the basic rights and freedoms that have been at the heart of Hong Kong’s way of life.