The Chinese legislature on Thursday passed a resolution calling on the “patriots who rule Hong Kong” in an effort to revamp the city’s election.
Why it matters: The move effectively gives the Chinese Communist Party control over the elections in the Asian financial center, reduces democratic representation and allows a ‘pro-Beijing panel of’ patriotic ‘candidates to vet, the BBC says.
- Foreign Minister Antony Blinken told Congress on Wednesday that the Biden government “will speak out and take action against serious violations of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong”.
- Blinken promised to ‘follow in the former British colony’ ‘sanctions’ against ‘those responsible for oppressive acts’.
By the numbers: Legislators in Beijing voted 2895-zero for the resolution in Hong Kong, with one abstention.
What to look for: President Biden meets with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India at a so-called “Quad” virtual summit as part of efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo – Pacific region.
- Blinken and the White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet next week in Anchorage, Alaska, with two top officials in China in the first personal meeting between senior U.S. and Chinese officials since Biden’s tenure.
Go deeper: Cyber, human rights are expected to be the top of the US and China top
Editor’s note: this article has been constantly updated with new details.