City Beat | Premier Li gives hints about Beijing’s expectations of next Hong Kong chief executive
Leadership in Beijing may see election process as an occasion for Hongkongers to look more thoroughly into the letter and spirit of the city’s Basic Law
This could be just one of Beijing’s expectations for the next chief executive. Another key message provides some clues. Li pledged that Beijing would continue to implement “both to the letter and in spirit” the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, and to support “law-based governance” for the city.
On the face of it, this is nothing new as it has appeared regularly in the premier’s report in recent years. Beijing keeps reminding everyone that it is a matter of running Hong Kong in accordance with not only the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, but also the country’s constitution in the wider national context.
What could that mean in reality? Beijing’s role in the current chief executive race could well be an illustration.
Ironically, to the disappointment of some – including the news media – this election, until now, has not been tainted by the so-called “black material” which was so rampant five years ago when candidates were smeared by mud-slinging and the airing of dirty laundry.
Instead, the major focus is on Beijing’s alleged “manipulation” of the election, the biggest controversy this year.
