A former US diplomat said China’s latest move to tighten control over Hong Kong will turn the semi-autonomous region’s legislative body into something that is “largely ceremonial.”
“I think what we will see in the coming years is that the legislative council … will become a largely ceremonial organization – similar to the Beijing legislative apparatus,” said Kurt Tong, former US consul general and head of the United States. the mission in Hong Kong. and Macau, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Friday.
Beijing approved a draft decision on Thursday to change Hong Kong’s electoral system. The proposed measures will change the size and composition of Hong Kong’s legislature and electoral commission.
In response, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement on Thursday: “This is Beijing’s latest move to erode the space for democratic debate in Hong Kong, contrary to the promises made by China itself. . “
Meanwhile, the US State Department condemned the move, saying the changes were “a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, freedoms and democratic processes.”
Legislative Council or LegCo of Hong Kong.
Lazy Siu Wai | Xinhua News Agency | Getty images
Hong Kong is a former British colony that returned under Chinese rule in 1997. It is governed by a “one country, two systems” framework that promises the city more autonomy than other mainland Chinese cities, including legislative and independent judiciary.
The city’s leader, Carrie Lam, said in a statement Thursday that the changes proposed by Beijing aim to ensure that Hong Kong is ruled by “patriots”.
That will “solve the problem that LegCo is making everything political for the past few years,” she said referring to the legislative council. It will “effectively deal with the reckless movements or internal divide that have pulled Hong Kong apart,” she added.
The Hong Kong legislature “had previously limited options to actually legislate. Now I think it will have even fewer options to legislate,” said Tong, who is now a partner at consulting firm The Asia Group.
The latest proposed electoral changes come less than a year after China imposed a controversial national security law in Hong Kong – bypassing the city’s legislature. The law followed months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong that turned violent at times.
Tong said Beijing’s goal is to “pacify the political opposition,” but “not change terribly how Hong Kong functions as an economy.”
That means Hong Kong has so far retained features that have made it an international business hub, such as its connection to the rest of the world and a largely independent judiciary, Tong said.
Still, business is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong “with a degree of concern,” even if businesses do not leave the city, he added.
“The national security law, I think, has been the main concern with the judiciary,” Tong said. “There are reasons for concern, but I think people just need to keep a close watch to see what’s happening.”