Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China are planning a new coup against Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Reuters)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Reuters)

The Chinese regime is considering implementation strong changes in the Hong Kong Electoral Committee, who elects the executive director of the former British colony, together with the objective of reducing the seats related to the popular vote to silence dissident voices and mitigate risk as a critical figure in Beijing’s coming to power.

The standing committee of the National People’s Congress could include in the agenda of its next meetings the debate on measures affecting the organization of the electoral body and the local parliament, according to the newspaper. South China Morning Post.

According to the proposal, according to sources consulted by the newspaper, China would eliminate 117 seats that are decided by advisers the district (mostly opponents), just like him cutting five seats dominated by pro-democracy movements in the Legislative Council (LegCo, local parliament).

LegCo already had a dissimilar composition: with 70 seats, the complex system guarantees pro-Chinese positions, as 35 members are appointed by social groups close to the regime, and the other 35 by direct vote. The elimination of five seats from the popular vote extinguishes the chances of a majority of opposition.

Lawmakers attend a meeting to debate national security law at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China, July 7, 2020. REUTERS / Tyrone Siu
Lawmakers attend a meeting to debate national security law at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China, July 7, 2020. REUTERS / Tyrone Siu

Hong Kong should enjoy great autonomy by 2047 under the “one country, two systems” principle. Last year, it was the scene of several months of mass demonstrations, often violent. Restrictions against the pandemic brought calm to the streets of Hong Kong, but also the entry into force in June of a law on national security imposed by Beijing, a text that was not even submitted to the LegCo vote.

While, Xi Jinping’s regime also closes the siege on the election of the government headquarters, currently in the hands of Carrie Lam, aligned with the interests of the Asian giant. Over the months, Lam has been increasingly combative, despite promising earlier this year that he will “humbly listen” after months of chaos that bets on the conciliation letter. In November, he said he had “gained confidence” and had not regretted any of his decisions.

According to sources consulted by Morning PostGiven the growing power of the pro-democracy movement, the communist regime provides for changes in the Electoral College, which consists of 1,200 members, with a special composition. The 70 legislators are part of the assembly, as well as 117 elected seats, with district councilors among its members. The rest are business elites, social and religious leaders and delegates from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC, a consultative body in Beijing), among others. So in short, the opposition reached more than 300 seats after several victories in the district elections, so pro-democracy voices played an important role in the negotiation. Although it was not enough to impose a candidate of their own, they could upset the balance if there are more candidates.

Resistance, pro-democracy activist group (Reuters)

The options managed by the Chinese regime would be to replace district councilors with representatives of other sectors, extend the quota for the CPPCC

The changes should take effect before the end of 2021, as the next elections take place in March 2022. No more comprehensive reform of the Committee is ruled out.

Part of the success in disabling the protest movement is due to the covid-19 pandemic, which so far leaves about 8,100 cases and 130 deaths in Hong Kong: rules of social distance have also prompted protesters to call no more protests. .

In July, Lam postponed the September legislative elections – the highest level in which Hong Kong citizens can run – for a year due to the pandemic – and shattered the pro-democracy opposition’s hopes of capitalizing on its low popularity. of the Government to obtain a parliamentary majority. Three months later, Beijing passed a resolution to remove four pro-democracy MPs, prompting the other 15 opposition lawmakers to resign en bloc.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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