The Chinese parliament on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in favor of a controversial draft plan that would increase Beijing’s grip on Hong Kong’s electoral system, which provoked US criticism.
The “patriots who rule Hong Kong” is a resolution that allows a pro-Beijing panel to approve candidates who they say are “patriotic”. The vote was 2895-0, with one abstention, the report said.
According to the Associated Press, President Xi Jinping and other party leaders watched as delegates voted electronically. The next step is a formal bill that can reportedly be implemented in the city within a few months.
Earlier this month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ned Price called the election changes ” a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, Hong Kong’s freedoms and the democratic process, limiting participation, reducing democratic representation and political debate stifles the clear will of the people. ‘
Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States would continue to take action against “serious violations of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong”, according to the Financial Times.
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Beijing denied the claim, saying the plan was necessary to promote stability in the city.
Reuters reports: “The changes virtually eliminate the possibility that the opposition could affect the outcome of the election in the former British colony.”
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said earlier this week that the city’s government ‘fully welcomes’ changes to the city’s electoral system.
“There are loopholes in the electoral systems, there are also flaws in the systems in Hong Kong,” Lam said after returning from the Beijing National People’s Congress. “I fully understand that this is not a matter that can be addressed by the government.”
“I am glad that the central authorities have once again exercised their constitutional powers to address this issue for Hong Kong,” she said.
Associated Press contributed to this report