Deputy Prime Minister Han Jeong “Dedicated to the public welfare issue after solving the Hong Kong election system”
Possibility to amend the electoral system by skipping the 5-step formal process
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On the 8th, the National People’s Congress of China started deliberation on the amendment to the Hong Kong election law and made it clear that it plans to enforce the amendment of the Hong Kong election system at both meetings.
On that day, the NPC’s first deliberation on the main agenda of this year was the’Draft Decision on Completion of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Election System’ at the representative small group meeting. The draft aims to limit anti-Chinese participation in elections in Hong Kong. This is to strengthen direct governance over Hong Kong.
The NPC will then deliberate on the amendment to the draft on the 9th and vote on it at the 3rd general meeting and closing ceremony on the 11th. The entry into force and enforcement of the Hong Kong bill must go through a five-step process, including public opinion gathering and a resolution at the Hong Kong legislative meeting, but China is highly likely to skip the formal process and change the election system in a similar manner as when the Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted last year.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced his willingness to revise the Hong Kong electoral system at a press conference at the NPC on the 7th to predict China’s diplomatic direction this year. Wang said, “Hong Kong did not have any democracy during colonial rule. No one is more interested in the democratic development of Hong Kong than the central government of China.”
Han Jeong, a standing committee member of the Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau, who oversees the Hong Kong issue, said, “I will devote myself to solving problems such as economy, people’s livelihood, and housing after stopping the violence and confusion in Hong Kong and resolving the electoral system.” Deputy Prime Minister Han also met with Hong Kong Minister Carrie Ram on the same day, urging the Hong Kong government to properly implement the NPC’s decision on the reorganization of the Hong Kong election system.
If China enforces amendments to the Hong Kong election law, it is likely to face fierce criticism from the United States and the European Union (EU), as it did when the Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted last year. State Department spokesman Ned Price already pointed out that “(the amendment to the election system) is a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, freedom and democratic process.” A spokesman for the EU Foreign Relations Administration (EEAS) said, “It will have a great negative impact on Hong Kong’s democratic principles and democratically elected representatives.” “The EU will take further action in response to the further deterioration of Hong Kong’s political freedom and human rights. I am ready,” he warned.
/ Reporter Noh Hee-young [email protected]
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