Despite assured majority, China angry with Hong Kong’s democratic electoral choices

0
8
China has denounced the street protests that took place in early October as "illegal" (Photo courtesy: BBC)
China has denounced the street protests that took place in early October as “illegal” (Photo courtesy: BBC)

(TibetanReview.net, Sep09, 2016) – Despite being assured of a majority support by a skewed electoral system, China has expressed bitter anger over the fact that young protest leaders opposed to its overly intrusive policies had won seats in Hong Kong’s Sep 4 Legislative Council elections. Pointing to seats won by pro-democracy student activists, China warned that it will not tolerate talk by lawmakers of separating the semi-autonomous city from Beijing’s control, reported the Mandarin Service of Radio Free Asia (Washington) Sep 6.

We firmly oppose any activity relating to Hong Kong independence in any form, inside or outside the Legislative Council,” a representative of China’s office dealing with Hong Kong affairs was quoted as saying.

Future moves supporting Hong Kong’s independence would violate China’s constitution and should be quickly punished by Hong Kong authorities “under the law,” the spokesman was cited as saying.

China’s state-owned China Daily also warned in its Hong Kong edition against the emergence of “separatist ideas” in Hong Kong’s legislature.

According to telesurtv.net Sep 6, China said it may sanction Hong Kong pro-independence supporters after a number of pro-independence activists were elected to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, two years after the “umbrella revolution,” amplifying the anti-China sentiment in the special administrative region.

In particular, the election results saw Nathan Law, 23, a former leader of the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement, elected to the Legislative Council (LegCo) along with three young politicians from “localist” groups who want greater autonomy for Hong Kong.

Overall, pro-democracy parties won 30 of the 70 council seats, which enabled them to retain a crucial veto, since any changes to Hong Kong’s political system must win the support of two-thirds of council members to pass.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here