Beijing’s move to amend Hong Kong election laws contravenes promises made by China and undermines its credibility for any future agreements, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) said yesterday.
By a vote of 2,895-0, with one abstention, the Chinese National People’s Congress on Thursday passed a proposal giving a pro-Beijing committee power to appoint more of Hong Kong’s lawmakers, reducing the proportion of those directly elected, and ensuring that only those determined to be “patriots” would be allowed to run for office.
Many see the proposal as effectively ending the territory’s already weakened local democracy.
Chiu said the move contravenes Hong