China’s ‘two sessions’ delegates surprisingly outspoken on Hong Kong matters
In a break from the past, delegates with no ties to city make forceful suggestions
From the annual government work report to the musing of delegates on the sidelines, the topic of Hong Kong’s future has been inescapable at the “two sessions” in Beijing - the annual meetings of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC).
But this year, in a break from past practice, delegates with no official ties to the city have pushed ideas on how Beijing should approach the special administrative region and respond to calls emanating from some quarters for its independence.
These delegates’ remarks are endorsed by Beijing, according to one expert, and using such proxies to put forward controversial ideas insulates the central government while still allowing it to convey its message.
The “one country, two systems” concept, which ensures a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong and Macau, has seen very limited discussion, let alone challenges, from mainland officials, lawmakers and political advisors whose offices do not directly involve the city’s affairs since the handover in 1997.
When Hong Kong did become a talking point, it was mostly about business and trade cooperation. Anything related to the city as a political topic has been greatly confined to a handful of officials and scholars in relevant positions.
