Hong Kong reforms prevent “majority dictatorship,” says the pro-Beijing lawmaker

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s proposal for Hong Kong’s electoral reforms could prevent a “majority dictatorship,” Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing lawmaker Martin Liao said on Saturday.

The Chinese parliament is discussing plans to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure that Beijing’s loyalists are held accountable. Representatives of Hong Kong in Beijing for an annual session say change is needed and desirable.

“Many people in Hong Kong are politically immature,” Liao, who is in both Hong Kong and Chinese legislatures, said in a telephone interview.

“They think ‘one man a vote’ is the best thing and they get advice from countries that don’t even have ‘one man a vote,'” Liao said, referring to the way neither the US president nor the British Prime Minister elected by popular vote.

The proposed changes, which include expanding the city’s Electoral Committee from 1,200 to 1,500 people and expanding the city’s Legislative Council from 70 to 90 seats, will make Hong Kong’s electoral system more “representative” and less prone to “majority dictatorship.” Liao added.

Critics say Beijing will be able to pool the two bodies with even more pro-establishment members to gain the numerical superiority needed to influence important decisions, such as electing the city’s chief executive, leaving Hong Kong voters with a word. a little straight into who they want to lead them to.

People from new industries and services, such as information technology, telecommunications and healthcare, should be brought in as additional members of Hong Kong’s electoral collage, said Maria Tam, a Hong Kong politician working with the Chinese parliament on issues related to ul from Hong Kong. -constitution.

People who can help young people in Hong Kong take advantage of China’s economic development, such as through the five-year national plan and the plan for the Great Gulf area, should also be included, she told Reuters by telephone.

Tam dismissed concerns that the reforms, designed to ensure “patriots governing Hong Kong”, would defeat the opposition.

“I don’t think it’s just going to be one-color,” she said.

“Anyone who can draw the line between them and those who act against the interests of China and Hong Kong would have no problem running in elections and winning,” she said.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s only representative in China’s highest legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said separately, “If you are not a patriot, it will be difficult for you to enter.”