The Fourth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (NPC) adopted the Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Decision”) on March 11 by a vote of 2,895 to 0, with 1 abstention. In response, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada and other countries, as well as the European Union and other international community forces, responded one after another.
Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tomoyuki Yoshida noted through a statement on November 11 that “following the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law in June last year and the subsequent arrest and prosecution of a number of pro-democracy legislators and activists, we are seriously concerned about the recent decision by the National People’s Congress of China to change the electoral system in Hong Kong.” The Japanese side said, “In particular, this decision will further erode confidence in ‘one country, two systems’ based on the Basic Law and the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which has underpinned Hong Kong’s prosperity. will greatly weaken Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.” The statement said, “Japan’s consistent position is that under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong must maintain a free and open system and develop democratically and steadily.”
The Japanese side said, “The Japanese government demands that the election in question be held in Hong Kong in a fair manner, including candidates representing various political views. We have expressed this position to the Chinese side and will continue to work with the international community to seek a concrete response from the Chinese side.”
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsushin said after attending the Cabinet meeting on the 12th that China has seriously undermined outside confidence in “one country, two systems” and is “a big step backwards for Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy,” which Japan “absolutely cannot ignore. “The government has also been working on a new project for the development of a new government. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 9th that he was “deeply concerned about China’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas, as well as the Marine Police Act and the situation in Hong Kong”.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne suggested via Twitter on 12 December that “Australia is gravely concerned about Beijing‘s changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system, which undermine Hong Kong’s democratic system. Hong Kong people must have avenues to exercise their fundamental freedom of political expression.”
Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs similarly took a stand on the issue, stating, “Canada is gravely concerned about the decision by China’s National People’s Congress to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system in order to further restrict political participation. Hong Kong’s prosperity and resilience comes from the vitality and open expression of its people.”
Recent Comments