Protests as Beijing keeps Hong Kong on tight rein

China’s legislature yesterday ruled out allowing open nominations in inaugural elections for Hong Kong’s leader, saying they would create a “chaotic society.” Democracy activists in the Asian financial hub responded by saying that a long-threatened mass occupation of the heart of the city “will definitely happen”.
A protester holds placards at a prodemocracy rally held yesterday next to the Hong Kong government complex. Picture:Getty ImagesA protester holds placards at a prodemocracy rally held yesterday next to the Hong Kong government complex. Picture:Getty Images
A protester holds placards at a prodemocracy rally held yesterday next to the Hong Kong government complex. Picture:Getty Images

The legislature’s powerful standing committee said all candidates should be approved by more than half of a special nominating body in order to go before voters. That’s at odds with demands from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp, which staged a massive protest in July to press for genuine democracy in the Chinese territory over fears candidates would continue to be screened by Beijing.

Following the committee’s widely expected decision, pro-democracy supporters rallied in a park in front of Hong Kong government headquarters.

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Hong Kong has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since returning to Chinese rule in 1997, when China’s communist leaders pledged to allow the city’s leader, known as the chief executive, to be eventually elected through “universal suffrage”. But China’s growing influence in the city’s affairs has sparked fears that Beijing won’t hold up its end of the bargain.

Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the National People’s Congress’ Standing Committee, told a news conference that openly nominating candidates would create a “chaotic society.”

“Many Hong Kong people have wasted a lot of time discussing things that are not appropriate and aren’t discussing things that are appropriate, he said.”

Hong Kong’s most high-profile democracy group, Occupy Central with Love and Peace, immediately announced that a plan to “occupy” the city’s Central business district would go ahead, without specifying a date.

“OCLP has considered occupying Central only as the last resort, an action to be taken only if all chances of dialogue have been exhausted and there is no other choice,” the group said in a statement.

Making clear that Chinese leaders intend to tightly control politics in Hong Kong, Mr Li reiterated that candidates for chief executive should be loyal to China’s ruling Communist Party.

Under yesterday’s guidelines, Hong Kong’s 5 million eligible voters will be able to vote in 2017 for two to three candidates selected by the 1,200-member nominating committee. Then, the chief executive-elect “will have to be appointed by the Central People’s Government,” the Standing Committee said.

“Since the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is a need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner,” it said.

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Willy Lam, an expert on Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the requirement that a candidate is supported by more than half of the nomination committee “will rule out a pan-democratic candidate”.

“Only if it’s lowered to 20 per cent can a pan-democratic candidate get in,” as there could be enough political diversity in the committee to back a more democratically minded person, Lam said.

Beijing’s announcement comes after a summer of protests and counter-protests that have gripped Hong Kong.

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