China on Sunday defended a proposal to revise Hong Kong‘s electoral system. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the proposal to improve the HKSAR’s electoral system is “legal, fair and reasonable. Some analysts say the Chinese government is determined to “solve” the Hong Kong issue once and for all, and is prepared to deal with opposition from the West.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday (March 7) that improving the HKSAR’s electoral system is a practical need to implement “patriots ruling Hong Kong”, advance the cause of “one country, two systems” and maintain the long-term stability of Hong Kong. The actual need for the long-term stability of Hong Kong”. Wang said that loyalty to one’s country is “a basic political ethic that public officials and those running for public office must abide by” and that no country has exceptions. He said Hong Kong is a part of China and “love for Hong Kong and love for the country are completely consistent.
Wang said Sunday that the proposed draft changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system would facilitate “the transformation of Hong Kong from chaos to governance,” which is “fully in line with the interests of all parties.
Under Hong Kong’s current electoral system, the city’s chief executive is elected by an election committee of 1,200 members from different sectors. According to a motion to reform the electoral system proposed by the Chinese National People’s Congress on Friday (March 5), Hong Kong’s chief executive will continue to be elected by the Election Committee, but the size, composition and method of formation of the Election Committee will be adjusted. The motion increases the proportion of lawmakers to be elected by the Election Committee, and also gives the Election Committee the new function of directly participating in and nominating all candidates for the Legislative Council.
Hong Kong media reported that Beijing proposed to increase the number of seats in the Chief Executive Election Committee from 1,200 to 1,500, and to add a new sector. The new subsector is reportedly composed of CPPCC and patriotic leaders.
The proposed proposal quickly drew international condemnation, with the United States and the European Union saying China was violating the guarantees of autonomy granted to Hong Kong during the transition from British rule in 1997.
State Department spokesman John Price said Friday that the move was a “direct attack” on Hong Kong’s freedoms. He said the Chinese government’s “series of so-called ‘reforms’ to Hong Kong’s electoral system are a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, its freedoms and democratic processes, limiting participation, reducing democratic representation, and stifling political debate in order to defy the clear will of the people of Hong Kong and deny them a voice in their own government and governance. voice in their own government and governance.”
Price said Washington is bringing together allies and partners to condemn China’s violations of Uighur minority rights in Xinjiang and the crackdown in Hong Kong.
A statement on the website of the European Union’s office in Hong Kong and Macau said Friday that the reform of the electoral system could have a long-term negative impact on Hong Kong’s democratic principles and representatives elected by democratic processes. With the agreement of EU foreign ministers, the statement said the EU is ready to take further measures in case of any serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong.
From prosecuting 47 Hong Kong opposition figures under Hong Kong’s version of the national security law to overhauling Hong Kong’s electoral system, Beijing is taking a tough approach despite strong protests from the United States and its allies, analysts said. Analysts say this shows Beijing’s determination to “solve” the Hong Kong issue once and for all, despite short-term pain, including the possibility of foreign sanctions.
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