China Tightens Grasp on Hong Kong’s Politics

China continues to exert an unprecedented level of control on the nation’s financial hub. Source: Reuters

China has begun to tighten its hold on Hong Kong after passing an electoral reform bill in order to assert control over their electoral college and reduce the number of elected individuals. This bill is in retaliation against the protests in Hong Kong that began surfacing in 2019. 

Hong Kong and China’s relationship has been unique since Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997. The principle enacted was the “one country, two systems,” which would uphold democratic policies in Hong Kong and bestow certain liberties to the people. The liberties included in Hong Kong’s constitution, the Basic Law, are freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, an independent judiciary system, and some democratic rights. This Constitution is meant to last at least until 2047, but now this Constitution is under attack with the introduction of the electoral reform bill. 

The bill was read twice on April 14 and is expected to pass in May with little opposition since all of the pro-democracy lawmakers resigned in November of 2020. These lawmakers resigned after Beijing removed four pro-democracy lawmakers who were deemed unloyal to Beijing. Currently, there are 70 members of the legislature, half of which are elected by voters and the rest are chosen by constituencies. The constituencies are representatives of different professions and interest groups, but most of these are pro-Beijing. 

With the new conditions outlined in the reform bill, 20 of the legislators will be elected, 30 chosen by constituencies, and 40 by an Election Committee which also appoints the city’s leader. The bill also outlines that the Election Committee will be expanded from 1,200 to 1,500 members, most of which are supporters of the central government in Beijing. Also, a new group will be created to review the qualifications of candidates for office in Hong Kong to ensure these candidates are “patriots.” This word was used specifically by the Chinese government to insinuate that candidates are loyal to the Chinese government. 

These attempts to control Hong Kong began in March when Beijing passed “the patriots governing Hong Kong” resolution in the National People’s Congress (NPC). This allows Beijing to alter annexes of the Basic Law and punish demonstrators, giving them dangerous levels of control. This law seriously limits Hong Kong’s liberties and people have already begun to feel its effects. A few arrests have already been made after this law was passed. 

In response to this reform bill, Britain has come forward claiming that the Chinese government is undermining their agreement to “one country, two systems.” China has since claimed that they are choosing to ignore “foreign interference” in domestic issues and refuses to acknowledge these criticisms. Overall, the democratic nature of Hong Kong is in serious trouble as China moves further in on controlling the legislature.