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Hong Kong electoral changes: lawmakers pass landmark bill to drastically reshape political system
- Legislation further sidelines a dwindling opposition accused by authorities of trying to sabotage and paralyse governance
- With nearly all opposition lawmakers ousted from their seats or having resigned in protest, pro-establishment members ensured bill sailed through Legco
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Hong Kong passed a landmark bill on Thursday to drastically reshape its electoral system and meet Beijing’s bottom line that only “patriots” should be allowed to govern the city, effectively expanding the influence of pro-establishment forces in key political bodies.
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The legislation, following the social unrest that rocked Hong Kong in 2019, further sidelines a dwindling opposition accused by authorities of trying to sabotage and paralyse governance.
With nearly all opposition lawmakers ousted from their seats or having resigned in protest, their pro-establishment counterparts ensured the bill sailed through the Legislative Council without a hitch.
It was passed with 40 pro-establishment lawmakers voting “yes”, while two independent opposition members – Cheng Chung-tai and Dr Pierre Chan – remained against it.
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Hong Kong Legco approves Beijing’s political overhaul including ‘patriot’ rule
Hong Kong Legco approves Beijing’s political overhaul including ‘patriot’ rule
The city’s leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, hailed the passage of the legislation for “plugging the loopholes in Hong Kong’s electoral system that seriously jeopardised Hong Kong’s constitutional order, endangered national security and obstructed governance as reflected in the political chaos in recent years”.
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