World powers on Monday (December 20) condemned Hong Kong’s rigorously scrutinized legislature’s vote, saying that Beijing’s rules on reducing directly elected seats and controlling who can stand eroded democracy in China’s territory.
Two years ago, China launched a total suppression of Hong Kong in response to large-scale and often violent democratic protests.
It implemented a national security law in the former British colony, criminalized many objections, and introduced political rules to examine the loyalty of anyone running for public office.
According to this new order, the city’s legislature held its first public vote on Sunday, with a record low turnout, and the number of directly elected people dropped from half to 22%.
Statistics show that only 30% of voters voted, which is the lowest level since the city was handed over to China and the British colonial era in 1997.
In 2016, the last legislative vote had a 58% turnout, and the 2019 district council election had a record turnout of 71%, when pro-democrats won by a landslide.
After the vote, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries, which are composed of most developed countries, expressed “serious concern” about the erosion of the democratic elements in Hong Kong’s electoral system.
In 1997, under the principle of “one country, two systems”, “the new review procedure that strictly restricted the selection of candidates on ballots undermined Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy” and agreed to transfer the territory from the United Kingdom to China.
The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States called on China to “restore confidence in Hong Kong’s political institutions and end the unwarranted oppression of those who advocate democratic values and defend rights and freedom.”
Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign policy, said in a statement that the poll was “another step in the abolition of the’one country, two systems’ principle” and called for a “high degree of autonomy and respect for human rights.” And basic freedoms, democratic principles and the rule of law” in Hong Kong.
“The European Union believes that this election, coupled with the continued pressure facing civil society, is another step towards the abolition of the’one country, two systems’ principle.” Human Resources/Vice President Statement @JosepBorrellF Hong Kong Legislative Council Election https://t.co/dM3aE3YyJR
-European External Action Service-EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) December 20, 2021
‘Eliminate opposition’
In an earlier statement, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand condemned the new system in stronger language, saying that “these changes eliminate any meaningful political opposition.”
The five Western allies added: “We are still seriously concerned about the broader chilling effect of national security laws and the increasing restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, which are being felt throughout civil society.”
China calls on Hong Kong people to accept what they say will restore stability and eradicate destructive “anti-China” elements.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam defended the new system and refuted the low turnout rate.
“Hong Kong is back on track now,” she told reporters.
“We cannot copy and paste the so-called democratic systems or rules of Western countries.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blamed the low turnout rate on the pandemic and “anti-China elements bent on destroying Hong Kong and external interference.”
In March of this year, a committee of 1,500 people and Beijing supporters will select the next leader of the city.
Since the public support rate is about 36%, Lin declined to say whether she would seek re-election.
“Fake elections”
Under British or Chinese colonial rule, the source of many years of protests, Hong Kong has never been a completely democratic country.
But Beijing’s repression and political reforms mean that Hong Kong people have less say in who manages their city than in the past.
Most of the city’s prominent democracy activists — including many formerly elected legislators — have either been imprisoned, exiled, or disqualified.
Ronaldson, a former lawmaker who lives in the UK and is wanted by the Hong Kong authorities, described the weekend’s vote as a “fake election.”
“The boycott of Hong Kong people shows that this legislature has no authorization,” he wrote on Twitter on Monday.
In addition to screening out “anti-China” activists, the number of directly elected positions in the legislature has been reduced from half of 90 to 20.
The 1,500-member election committee elected the largest 40, and the committee will also elect the next leader of the city.
The remaining 30 were selected by the larger pro-Beijing committee representing special interest groups and industry groups.
Only a dozen candidates who passed the review were identified by the local media as “centrists” or “non-establishment”, but none of them won enough votes.
The result is that the legislature is now full of government supporters similar to the rubber stamp legislature of mainland China.
“The new Legislative Council, which is now completely controlled by the patriots, will effectively play a role in safeguarding national security and unity,” Liu Zhaojia, vice president of Beijing and Hong Kong’s top think tank, wrote in the official media “China”. daily.
Analysts warn that the new system may make the city’s rulers and residents more disconnected.
Zhong Jinhua of the Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion told AFP: “The tension between the authorities and the people will last for a long time, and legislators will not act as mediators because they must follow Beijing’s line.”
