Opposition won't gain majority in Hong Kong legislature: senior advisor to Beijing
蘋果日報 2020/06/14 13:24
Beijing will not just sit back and let candidates from the opposition win over half of the seats in Hong Kong's legislature, said a senior advisor to Beijing on matters with the special administrative region.
The city's pro-democracy camp meanwhile warned any more suppression from Beijing will only invite greater resistance in a city which just several days ago marked the first anniversary of an ongoing city-wide protests for freedom and democracy.
Pro-democracy political parties have been trying to work out a plan which can help their candidates win over 35 seats in the Legislative Council election to be held on September 6. Currently, only 40 of the 70 seats in the legislative body are directly elected by the majority of people while the remaining 30 are elected by functional constituencies consisting of mostly professional and special interest groups loyal to Beijing.
In an interview with Ming Pao Daily, Lau Siu-kai, who is vice-president of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Beijing could introduce changes to Hong Kong's political system should any threats to national security emerge, citing Article 31 of China's constitution.
The Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini constitution, is enacted pursuant to Article 31 of China's constitution which states: "The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People’s Congress in the light of specific conditions."
Lau said the majority of the city's opposition now embraces the idea of "mutual destruction" — a belief that Beijing would back down and give in to the protesters' demand if they can raise the stakes high enough for the Chinese leadership. If their candidates seize control of the legislature, Lau said Beijing would see it as a threat to national security as Hong Kong could be turned into a base for foreign forces to subvert Chinese rule in the city.
"The central government has even proposed the enactment of a national security law [for Hong Kong]," that's how far it would go to deal with foreign interference. Would it allow [the opposition] to take over 35 seats and [allow] 'mutual destruction'? Certainly not." Lau said.
Wu Chi-wai, chairperson of the Democratic Party, said he was not naive enough to believe Beijing would allow pro-democracy candidates to take control of the Legislative Council.
"Beijing has never considered giving Hong Kongers any real power. Lau is just putting it bluntly that Hong Kong's autonomy is at the mercy of Beijing." Wu said.
He warned of a possible scaled-up resistance to Beijing's encroachment on the city should candidates get disqualified arbitrarily. Any attempt by Beijing to prevent a fair election in Hong Kong would only show China is not committed to any promises it made, he added.
The city's pro-democracy camp meanwhile warned any more suppression from Beijing will only invite greater resistance in a city which just several days ago marked the first anniversary of an ongoing city-wide protests for freedom and democracy.
Pro-democracy political parties have been trying to work out a plan which can help their candidates win over 35 seats in the Legislative Council election to be held on September 6. Currently, only 40 of the 70 seats in the legislative body are directly elected by the majority of people while the remaining 30 are elected by functional constituencies consisting of mostly professional and special interest groups loyal to Beijing.
In an interview with Ming Pao Daily, Lau Siu-kai, who is vice-president of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Beijing could introduce changes to Hong Kong's political system should any threats to national security emerge, citing Article 31 of China's constitution.
The Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini constitution, is enacted pursuant to Article 31 of China's constitution which states: "The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People’s Congress in the light of specific conditions."
Lau said the majority of the city's opposition now embraces the idea of "mutual destruction" — a belief that Beijing would back down and give in to the protesters' demand if they can raise the stakes high enough for the Chinese leadership. If their candidates seize control of the legislature, Lau said Beijing would see it as a threat to national security as Hong Kong could be turned into a base for foreign forces to subvert Chinese rule in the city.
"The central government has even proposed the enactment of a national security law [for Hong Kong]," that's how far it would go to deal with foreign interference. Would it allow [the opposition] to take over 35 seats and [allow] 'mutual destruction'? Certainly not." Lau said.
Wu Chi-wai, chairperson of the Democratic Party, said he was not naive enough to believe Beijing would allow pro-democracy candidates to take control of the Legislative Council.
"Beijing has never considered giving Hong Kongers any real power. Lau is just putting it bluntly that Hong Kong's autonomy is at the mercy of Beijing." Wu said.
He warned of a possible scaled-up resistance to Beijing's encroachment on the city should candidates get disqualified arbitrarily. Any attempt by Beijing to prevent a fair election in Hong Kong would only show China is not committed to any promises it made, he added.
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