Tensions are running high in Hong Kong after the pro-Beijing government charged 47 democracy activists and politicians with sedition under the controversial new national security law.
The group is accused of running what has been described as an unofficial “primary” poll in July last year in which more than 600,000 Honkongese voted to select candidates for a legislative election which was due to be held in September. The election was subsequently postponed by Carrie Lam, the territory’s pro-Beijing chief executive, who cited the coronavirus as the reason for delaying the vote.
The charges come just days after the Hong Kong government introduced new oath requirements for public officials – swearing loyalty not to their constituents but Beijing and the Communist Party. The oaths are part of a plan outlined on February 23 by Xia Baolong, the director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, for major electoral reforms to ensure only “patriots” can stan
Patriotism test for Hong Kong officials shows China s growing assertiveness
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China’s changing global power has radically changed the context in which the Hong Kong issue sits. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 2 (UPI) Tensions are running high in Hong Kong after the pro-Beijing government charged 47 democracy activists and politicians with sedition under the controversial new national security law.
The group is accused of running what has been described as an unofficial primary poll in July in which more than 600,000 Honkongese voted to select candidates for a legislative election that was due to be held in September. The election was subsequently postponed by Carrie Lam, the territory s pro-Beijing chief executive, who cited the coronavirus as the reason for delaying the vote.
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