China Plans to Change Hong Kong’s Election System; West Says Freedoms Are At Risk
March 7, 2021-As China’s National Legislature opened its annual legislative session on Friday, pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong and around the world watched with bated breath.
This week, delegates at the National People’s Congress (NPC) are taking up reforms to Hong Kong’s electoral system that would guarantee only “patriots” serve.
The proposed changes would effectively bring Hong Kong representatives under the control of China.
China Wants Hong Kong ‘Patriots’
According to a transcribed statement of a speech by Wang Chen, China intends to change the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The senior Chinese lawmaker said the goal is to bring the political system under the “one country, two systems” framework with “patriots administering Hong Kong.”
“Only in this way can Hong Kong achieve durable stability and make its due contributions to realizing national rejuvenation,” Wang said on Friday.
Reforms could give more power to the electoral committee. Wang said that would ensure to make sure “patriots” serve in the main body, according to a summary by the NPC.
It is significant because China’s Central People’s Government selects the members of the electoral committee. Therefore, that change would put political representatives under the control of China.
EU Says ‘Fundamental Freedoms’ Are At Risk
Meanwhile, as the news of the electoral changes traveled to Europe, Brussels braced itself for the action.
A spokesperson for the European Union Foreign Office said reforms would likely “undermine fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and democratic principles.”
Furthermore, the EU spokesperson issued the following warning:
“As agreed by EU Foreign Ministers, the EU stands ready to take additional steps in response to any further serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong, which would be against China’s domestic and international obligations.”
Likewise, Washington responded in a similar vein. A State Department spokesman called changes to the electoral system a “direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy” that would “defy the clear will of the people.”
For further information, see the NPC website and the EU foreign office.
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