US says Beijing’s overhaul of Hong Kong electoral system a ‘direct attack’ on city’s autonomy
- Hong Kong will be on the agenda for a meeting next week between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Yang Jiechi, says US State Department spokesman
- European Union again warns of ‘additional steps’ over the measure; says it is a breach of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle
“We condemn the [People’s Republic of China’s] continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong,” department spokesman Ned Price said at a press briefing. “The changes approved by the National People’s Congress today on March 11 are a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, its freedoms, its democratic processes.”
The resolution rubber stamped by the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Thursday will overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure that only “patriots” can rule the city, a sweeping move critics fear will further quash opposition voices.
The measure paves the way for the biggest shake-up to the city’s electoral system since its return to China in 1997. Under the new law, an election committee that currently oversees the election of Hong Kong’s chief executive, would be given additional authority to nominate legislative candidates.
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China’s national legislature approves biggest shake-up to Hong Kong electoral system since handover
The committee would also be expanded from 1,200 to 1,500 seats, with Beijing loyalists making up the 300-member increase.