US calls Chinese-promoted electoral reform a “direct attack on Hong Kong autonomy”

The United States on Friday condemned China’s proposed new veto powers over the choice of Hong Kong lawmakers, calling them a “direct attack” on the city’s autonomy, and demanded that the Beijing regime reconsider this decision.

The proposed measures “are a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, Hong Kong’s freedoms and democratic processes”, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a press conference.

The civil servant claimed the measure violated Hong Kong’s Basic Law, which came into force in 1997 when the UK returned its former colony to China.

Beijing has further intensified its offensive to impose its will on Hong Kong in recent weeks, this time with electoral reform that will allow it to exclude from the elections opposition candidates who campaign for a democratic system in which, by less on the paper, it semi-autonomous territory.

“If implemented, these measures will dramatically undermine Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and directly run counter to the clear recognition in the Basic Law that elections in Hong Kong must move towards universal suffrage.Price said.

“We call on the PRC (People’s Republic of China) to respect its international obligations and commitments and to act in accordance with the Hong Kong Basic Law,” he added. And he said: “The United States joins the people of Hong Kong (…) who seek nothing more than the universal rights (…) they deserve”.

The European reaction

The European Union (EU) also asked Chinese authorities on Friday to “reconsider” their decision to change Hong Kong’s electoral law, which could lead to the postponement of parliamentary elections scheduled for September.

“The EU calls on the Beijing authorities to carefully consider the political and economic implications of any decision to reform Hong Kong’s electoral system, which could undermine fundamental freedoms.”said a spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The spokesperson criticized the possibility of modifying the electoral law, because “if it were carried out, it would have potentially negative consequences for democratic principles”.

According to local Hong Kong press published on Friday, the Chinese People’s National Assembly proposed the amendment to the electoral law during its inaugural session and is due to vote on Thursday. The changes could only be ready before July, when the current legislature will end, delaying the elections.

For example, the Legislative Council (the Parliament of Hong Kong) would have 20 additional seats, up to a total of 90, and these new positions would correspond to members of the Election Commission, which would not proceed to their election until December, which will force a new postponement of legislative elections, with September 2022 as a possible date.

The EEAS spokesperson recalled today that the EU “stands ready to take further measures in response to any serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong”.

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