HK lawmakers pass Bill on poll revamp to vet 'patriots'

HONG KONG • Hong Kong's legislature approved sweeping changes to the city's electoral system ordered by the Chinese leadership, dramatically curtailing the ability of dissenting voices to participate in government.

The Legislative Council voted 40-2 to approve measures yesterday, creating a review committee to vet candidates for elected office and ensure they are "patriots". All candidates must also be approved by national security officials in the Hong Kong police force to determine whether they can be trusted to uphold local laws and "respect" the ruling Communist Party.

The Bill's passage marks the culmination of Beijing's efforts to take control of how the former British colony chooses its leaders, giving it a veto over candidates for office following historic and sometimes violent unrest in 2019. It effectively ends China's only experiment with open elections, a vestige of the democratic system implemented during the last years of colonial rule.

On the same day, Hong Kong police banned for a second straight year a pro-democracy group's application to hold an annual candlelight vigil marking China's 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square.

Associate Professsor Alfred Wu, who specialises in Hong Kong at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said the twin milestones illustrate how Hong Kong's political system is "moving much closer to the mainland". He added: "The Chinese system really emphasises national security and this is now evident in Hong Kong."

Chinese lawmakers passed a proposal in March to overhaul how the city chooses its chief executive and give a body dominated by pro-Beijing elites more power to nominate legislators. President Xi Jinping signed the order implementing the changes, which the government defended as necessary to reduce polarisation, curb the influence of "foreign forces" and let the authorities focus on improving the economy.

The move sent a clear signal that Beijing has grown intolerant of dissent, said Dr Dongshu Liu, an assistant professor of Chinese politics at City University of Hong Kong, adding: "Beijing has given up its indirect way of ruling Hong Kong and is now more explicit and direct in controlling it."

The measure passed with little debate since Hong Kong's opposition resigned en masse last year to protest against Beijing's crackdown and many former lawmakers have since been jailed pending trial on criminal charges.

Still, more than half of the body's remaining lawmakers rose to speak in favour of the measure, praising China's action to weaken their opponents and dilute their vote.

Voting to choose representatives for the Election Committee's various sectors is set for Sept 19.

An election for new members of the Legislative Council will be held on Dec 19 after a delay of what would be more than a year, a move officials said was necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The poll for the first chief executive under the new rules is scheduled for March 27 next year.

BLOOMBERG