China To Reshuffle Hong Kong Electoral System

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in World news March 5, 2021

China recently announced at its biggest political meeting that it will change Hong Kong’s electoral system. This will ensure that patriots are in charge. It also came as a sign that the government will no longer tolerate dissent in the city. The reform proceeded after a crackdown and tightened control of Hong Kong.

The National People’s Congress that is to run for a week will also see a draft decision discussed. Thousands of lawmakers have gathered for this meeting in Beijing.

Apart from the Hong Kong decision, the rubber-stamp parliament is expected to discuss and approve economic growth targets. Environmental policies from the central government are a point they will discus as well.

NPC vice-chairperson Wang Chen announced earlier today that several annexes in Hong Kong’s Basic Law would need revision. Hong Kong’s Basic Law is simply the city’s mini-constitution. This would, therefore, mean revising the rules governing the election of the chief executive and the Legislative Council elections.

Why Beijing is cracking down n Hong Kong.

Mr. Wang further said ‘’loopholes’’ in the city’s electoral system had allowed opposition activists to advocate for Hong Kong’s independence. Therefore, the need to remove these risks became a top priority.

This move comes after the implementation of national security law. Critics say Beijing is using this law to crush dissent in the city, and a crackdown on activists and opposition figures.

A number of arrests have happened since then. Authorities arrested and charged 47 pro-democracy activists with ‘’subversion’’ under the new law.

The NPC meeting usually happens in early March. Over 3000 delegates from around the country represent provinces. It runs parallel to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This is also a meeting of the most powerful political advisory body in the country. The CPPCC began on Thursday and collectively the gatherings are referred to as the ‘’Two Sessions’’.

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