Pan-democrats thwarted in last bid to stop Hong Kong government’s plan to give People’s Liberation Army a prime slice of Central waterfront
- Last-ditch effort to stop the plan is derailed by motion to adjourn Legco
- If pro-Beijing camp’s motion is passed, a strip of scenic harbourfront will be given to the PLA on Saturday
The pro-democracy camp’s last-ditch attempt to stop the government from handing a prime strip of Central waterfront to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday has been thwarted in a surprise move by pro-establishment lawmakers.
Christopher Cheung Wah-fung, a financial services sector lawmaker, moved to adjourn the Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday so that a motion against the military dock brought by two opposition lawmakers could not be discussed. Debate over the adjournment continues Thursday.
The move reflects anxiety within the pro-Beijing camp about the potential to ignite another heated debate amid the public outrage over the botched extradition bill.
No legislators’ vote is needed for the subsidiary legislation that would hand over the site to the PLA. The transfer would fall under a legislative process called “negative vetting”, meaning the government could implement a bill until legislators object to it.
In a bid to block the land transfer, opposition lawmakers Eddie Chu Hoi-dick and Au Nok-hin had put forward motions arguing that the waterfront site should be kept for public access and enjoyment.