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Updated Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:30 am TWN, By Dr. William Fang, Special to The China Post

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Two shining examples of the judiciary: HK, Singapore

A recent survey shows that Hong Kong and Singapore have the best judicial systems in Asia. This result in itself is not particularly noteworthy as the two places used to be ruled by the British, who are known to be the pioneer in modern democracy. What is interesting with Hong Kong is that the city has been returned to China since 1997. In the same survey, China ranked No.10. According to the news report that carried the survey, China received a less favorable perception because of the political interference. “The Communist Party there is above the law,” the report explained.

As we all know, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a dictatorial country with everything, including the judiciary, under the tight control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Thus, it is really surprising to learn that Hong Kong, now part of the PRC territory, can be allowed to enjoy a substantial degree of law and order that is characteristic of modern advanced democracies. It is such economic, political, and judicial freedoms that give the place its ability to compete favorably with other big cities around the world.

After seeing how Hong Kong is being treated and faring so differently from other parts of China, one cannot but begin to think about the sincerity of the PRC’s promise and the feasibility of “one country and two systems.” Although many in Taiwan still cast serious doubts about Communist propaganda, what has happened in the former British colony is impressive indeed.

In the case of Singapore, this is not the first time that the city-state has received top rating for its judicial performance. But, the report cited above made it a point to remind readers that this survey had been conducted among expatriate business executives so that the results may not be shared by political activists. In fact, many international media people have for long been critical of the Singaporean government’s high-handed policies, including the use of the judiciary to counter political opponents. Whatever the criticisms are, the undeniable fact is that Singapore, small as it is, has become one of the most prosperous and fastest-growing nations in the world, which proves the general correctness of its policies. With the universally respected Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, who is a politician of unquestioned integrity and intelligence, and a judicial system based on the time-honored British tradition, it is hard to imagine that the Singaporean government intends to deliberately bend the judiciary to its wish and succeed in doing so, even though one may not necessarily agree with every measure it has adopted.

It is well-known that quite a few political activists tend to overemphasize the universal value of the kind of “freedom of speech” cherished by them without giving due attention to the unique situation in a particular country. In view of the successes Singapore has achieved so far, both its government and the judicial branch should feel proud of themselves despite certain criticisms.

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