Beijing announces plans for electoral reforms for Hong Kong

After a week that saw nearly 50 pro-democracy opposition figures charged under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, Beijing announced plans for electoral reforms on the city.

China’s annual parliamentary meeting of the year, the “Two Sessions”, began last week, with local reports saying Hong Kong’s legislature is expected to undergo a major shakeup.

And Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam told a press conference on Monday she “fully welcomes” the reforms proposed by Beijing.

Under the ‘one country, two systems’ agreement signed by Britain and China in 1997, after the city was transferred back to Chinese rule, Beijing promised that Hong Kong would retain a ‘high degree of autonomy’ until 2047.

Within Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) that makes and amends Hong Kong law, there are 70 seats in total, with half of that number - 35 - directly voted for by the public. The vast majority of the remaining seats are voted by smaller groups with special interests, including trade and commerce, but are assigned and largely viewed as pro-Beijing.

But China says a revamp is needed on Hong Kong’s electoral system that would bring stability and a brighter future for the city. A draft was unveiled on 5 March by The National Peoples Congress (NPC) vice-chairman Wang Chen.

Local reports say the structure of LegCo would be increased from 70 to 90 seats, whilst the election committee, responsible for electing Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, would increase from 1,200 members to 1,500 members, already filled with pro-Beijing appointees. Furthermore, district councillors, largely controlled by democrats after a landslide wins in the city’s local elections in November 2019, would be replaced. Because of the proposals, the legislative council elections (already delayed in 2020 after the government cited health reasons) would be postponed again until 2022.

More details on the draft are expected to be divulged once China’s parliamentary meeting concludes on 11 March.

It comes after top Beijing official, Xia Baolong, said only “patriots” should govern Hong Kong. The director of the Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office also mentioned that high-profile activists Jimmy Lai, Joshua Wong and Benny Tai - all now in jail – should be “severely punished” under the law.

Street protests will be stopped and slogans are banned in Hong Kong | Photo: Tommy Walker

After 2019’s pro-democracy protests, Beijing implemented the national security law for Hong Kong that came into effect on June 30, 2020. The legislation prohibits secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, and its details can be widely interpreted. Street protests have stopped, slogans have been banned and several high-profile activists have been jailed or fled the Chinese city.

The city’s remaining slithers of democracy continues to deteriorate internally, as dozens of pro-democracy advocates faced charges under the national security law last week.

In January 55 pro-democracy figures were arrested in pre-dawn raids in connection to Hong Kong’s unofficial primary elections. The “primaries” - which took place in July - were used for residents to pick opposition candidates ahead of the now-postponed 2020 Legislative Council elections.

Forty-seven of the arrested were called back to report at police stations, and formally charged for “conspiracy to subvert state power."

During the court hearing, that carried over into its fourth day, there were plenty of twists and turns unravelled as bail applications were submitted. Several of the defendants had to be admitted to the hospital during the lengthy-hearing.

Supporters and protesters had waited patiently for news of the political advocates, gathering for hours outside of West Kowloon Magistrate Court, whilst holding banners and chanting banned slogans. Police held up the purple national security law flag, warning crowds of violations against the controversial security law.

Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak eventually ruled that 15 pro-democracy figures would be up for bail, whilst 31 would remain detained.

The magistrate ruled against granting bail for the 31 defendants, citing there were no sufficient grounds the accused wouldn't endanger national security. Former legislator Claudia Mo, former journalist Gwyneth Ho and activists Ji Yuet Wong and Owen Chow were all included.

As supporters briefly celebrated for those initially granted bail, those cheers came to a halt as prosecutors filed for a bail review to be heard by the High Court. This left the magistrate with no option to keep all 15 detained.

Law professor Benny Tai, one of the organisers of the primary elections, revoked his bail application prior to the ruling after he was remanded in another case.

A day later, prosecutors removed bail reviews for four legislators Clarisse Yeung, Lawrence Lau, Hendrick Lui and Mike Lam. All were granted bail with strict conditions including surrendering their travel documents, contacting foreign officials, stick to a curfew and not use speech or actions that could endanger national security.

The remaining 11 defendants, part of the 15 initially up for bail, had their cases adjourned again and are due to be heard later this week.

Political analyst Joseph Cheng added the charge for “subverting state power” is “loosely defined” and it outlines that no effective opposition can exist under the national security legislation.

“Any serious challenges of the Government and the Chinese authorities will be treated as subversion,” Cheng said.

Dominic Raab, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State, condemned the charges at the time, tweeting: "The decision to charge 47 Hong Kong politicians & activists for subversion under the NSL is deeply disturbing. It shows in the starkest terms the NSL being used to eliminate political dissent rather than restore order - contrary to what the Chinese Government promised."  

- Asia Media Centre