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Hong Kong elections reform: opposition can still offer ‘rational, fact-based criticisms’ while running for office, justice secretary says
- Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng says revamp aims to stop people who seriously undermine the country’s interests by entering political system
- British foreign secretary says London now considers Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration
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Opposition politicians would still be able to offer “rational, fact-based criticisms” while running for public office, Hong Kong’s justice minister said on Saturday, as she defended Beijing’s coming shake-up of the city’s electoral system amid further international condemnation.
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Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah’s remarks followed those of the city’s leader, who said time would prove Hong Kong still had autonomy after China’s top legislature on Thursday passed sweeping reforms to ensure only “patriots” governed the city.
The decision of the National People’s Congress (NPC) sparked an international outcry.
On Saturday, Britain said it now considered Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the agreement that paved the way for the city’s handover in 1997.
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“Beijing’s decision to impose radical changes to restrict participation in Hong Kong’s electoral system constitutes a further clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.
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