Reforms in Hong Kong prevent “majority dictatorship,” says pro-Beijing lawmaker

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s proposal to reform Hong Kong’s elections could prevent a “majority dictatorship,” pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker Martin Liao told Reuters on Saturday.

China’s parliament is discussing plans to reform Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure Beijing’s loyalists are in control. Representatives from Hong Kong, in Beijing for an annual session, say the change is necessary and desirable.

“Many people in Hong Kong are politically immature,” Liao, who is in both Hong Kong and China, said in a telephone interview.

“They think ‘one man one vote’ is best, and they take advice from countries that don’t even have ‘one man one vote,'” Liao said, referring to how neither the US President nor the UK Prime Minister does that . chosen by a popular vote.

The proposed changes, including the expansion of the city’s electoral commission from 1,200 to 1,500 people and the expansion of the city’s legislative council from 70 to 90 seats, will make Hong Kong’s electoral system more “representative” and less prone to “dictatorship. of the majority “. Liao added.

Critics say Beijing would be able to stack the two bodies with even more pro-established members in order to gain the numerical superiority needed to influence important decisions such as the election of the city’s Chief Executive, thus making Hong Kong voters have less direct say over who they want to lead them.

People from new industries and services, such as information technology, telecommunications and healthcare, should be recruited as additional members of the Hong Kong election collage, said Maria Tam, a senior Hong Kong politician working with the Chinese parliament on matters related to the Hong Kong mini – constitution.

People who can help Hong Kong youth benefit from China’s economic development, such as through the National Five-Year Plan and Greater Bay Area Plan, should also be included, she told Reuters over the phone.

Tam rejected concerns that the reforms designed to make “patriots rule Hong Kong” will narrow the space for opposition.

“I don’t think it will just be plain,” she said.

“Anyone who can draw the line between themselves and those acting against the interests of China and Hong Kong would have no problem running for election and winning,” she said.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s only representative in China’s main legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said separately, “If you’re not a patriot, it will be difficult for you to get in.”