Hong Kong Unveils Beijing-Backed Electoral Reform Plans


Hong Kong Unveils Beijing-Backed Electoral Reform Plans

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Hong Kong government gave politicians their first look at a long-awaited electoral blueprint for selecting the city's next leader, a plan that reflects China's desire for a tightly controlled poll despite calls for more democracy.

Deputy leader Carrie Lam said on Wednesday that the first-ever public vote for the post of chief executive in 2017 would be held in "strict compliance" with a ruling by China's National People's Congress last August.

That ruling stated that candidates for chief executive must first be approved by a loyalist committee. This decision sparked more than two months of protests late last year.

Lam said that voters in 2017 would choose from two to three candidates chosen by a 1,200-strong nominating committee. That committee would reflect the current make-up of the pro-Beijing election committee, which up until now has chosen the city's leader, she said.

"These proposals are in strict compliance with the Basic Law [Hong Kong's constitution] and the relevant decisions of [China's] Standing Committee of the National People's Congress," Lam said.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told reportes before the blueprint was officially tabled that the political climate in the city could be less accommodating in the future.

"As of now, we see no room for any compromise," he said.

"To initiate any political reform process is not easy. If this proposal is vetoed, it could be several years before the next opportunity," Leung said.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Legislative Council. A large group waved Chinese flags in support of the proposal, saying Hong Kong must move forward, Al Jazeera reported.

A smaller group held yellow umbrellas, which have become a symbol of the democracy movement. They demanded "true universal suffrage" and called for Leung to step down.

Pro-reform legislators wearing yellow crosses on black shirts, some carrying yellow umbrellas, walked out of the chamber after the government's presentation.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators blocked major roads in four key districts in the city last year, demanding Beijing grant a truly democratic vote and open nominations for Hong Kong's next chief executive in 2017.

Their pleas were ignored and police forcefully cleared away the last of the protest encampments in mid-December.

The blueprint for the proposal that the public vote on two or three candidates pre-selected by a 1,200 member pro-Beijing nominating committee was first outlined by China's parliament, the National People's Congress, last August.

The Hong Kong government stood by that blueprint, offering no concessions to win over democratic politicians who have vowed to veto it when the government seeks formal approval.

The opposition camp holds a one-third veto bloc, but Beijing-backed Leung said he remained hopeful that four or five politicians could be persuaded to change their minds.

 

 

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