Beijing knows judicial independence is the last protection for Hong Kong’s future

Pro-Beijing critics of foreign judges on Hong Kong’s top court are misguided

Beijing is keen on preserving Hong Kong’s status as a financial hub and getting rid of the foreign judges would be detrimental to the city’s interests

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The statue of Lady Justice at the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Getting rid of overseas non-permanent judges would not suit the Communist Party’s agenda as it would be detrimental to Hong Kong’s interests. Photo: Sam Tsang

Albert Cheng

Ir.

Published: 6:45am, 19 Mar 2021Updated: 6:45am, 19 Mar 2021

Beijing has announced a plan to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system, which goes against Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law. These articles state that the methods for selecting the chief executive and for forming the Legislative Council “shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress”. In both cases, “the ultimate aim is … universal suffrage”.

However, Beijing’s reforms will take Hong Kong’s electoral system further away from universal suffrage.

The promises of “one country, two systems”, “high degree of autonomy” and “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong” are in pieces. Yet Beijing is reluctant to outright declare “one country, one system” in Hong Kong; it is determined to preserve Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

Top officials say they will only tighten control over matters related to national security, but will continue to adopt common law and maintain judicial independence in all other aspects. Believe that if you will.