Beijing’s latest power grab in Hong Kong kills any autonomy the former British colony had left — utterly breaking all the promises China’s rulers made …
Beijing’s latest power grab in Hong Kong kills any autonomy the former British colony had left — utterly breaking all the promises China’s rulers made when the United Kingdom handed over the island city in 1997. It’s just one more reason there’s no point negotiating with the Chinese Communist Party on long-term issues like climate change. China’s legislature-for-show last week approved a scheme giving Beijing a virtual veto in picking Hong Kong’s leaders. The pro-Beijing Election Committee will choose the city’s chief executive and a “relatively large” number of members of its legislature, reducing the number elected by the people. And it will vet candidates to ensure that it’s “patriots ruling Hong Kong,” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang explained, to “safeguard national security” and encourage “prosperity and stability.” The city’s Communist-puppet chief executive. Carrie Lam, laughably claimed Beijing’s hostile takeover will “resolve the problem” of the legislature “making everything political in recent years and effectively deal with the reckless moves or internal rift that have torn Hong Kong apart.
