BIG IDEA | ‘The National People’s Congress on Thursday approved a drastic overhaul of election rules for Hong Kong that would most likely bar many pro-democracy politicians from competing in elections, cementing Beijing’s grip over the territory.' ‘The overhaul will give Beijing much greater control over local elections that were meant to be partly democratic—thanks to an effective veto against candidates deemed unpatriotic. Premier Li Keqiang said the new legislation was needed to ensure that “patriots” run the territory.’
BIG IDEA | “The United States condemns the PRC’s continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken
‘Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, dismissed the criticism, saying that electoral reforms in the territory are China’s internal affairs and interference from abroad wouldn’t be tolerated. He also accused the U.S. of hypocrisy in trying to meddle in Hong Kong’s elections after enduring its own electoral turmoil in recent months.’
BIG IDEA | 'Beijing has sought to stamp out dissent in Hong Kong since months of antigovernment protests caused citywide chaos in 2019. China’s top legislature imposed a national-security law on the city in June, and authorities have since arrested more than 100 pro-democracy figures, including many opposition groups’ leaders. Authorities have also disqualified pro-democracy politicians from the Hong Kong legislature. Chinese officials have said they aren’t attempting to curb criticism of the government.'