War of words erupts between Chinese and Western diplomats over Hong Kong’s chief executive election

In the latest salvo, the G7 grouping of the richest democracies released a statement on Monday expressing “grave concern over the selection process” of Hong Kong’s new leader, describing it as “part of an ongoing assault on political pluralism and fundamental freedoms”.

“We are deeply concerned about this steady erosion of political and civil rights and Hong Kong’s autonomy,” it said. “We continue to call on China to act in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and its other legal obligations. We urge the new chief executive to respect protected rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, as provided for in the Basic Law, and ensure the court system upholds the rule of law.”

The G7, which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, also labelled the city’s revamped nomination process a “stark departure from the aim of universal suffrage”.

Lee, a former chief secretary and security minister, was elected unopposed with 1,416 votes out of 1,428 cast by the Election Committee on Sunday. Eight members voted against him, four cast blank votes and 33 members did not take part.

The poll was the first for a chief executive since the central government added a new sector of pro-Beijing loyalists to the committee already dominated by pro-establishment figures as part of its overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system last year to ensure only “patriots” held power. A vetting mechanism was also introduced to ensure candidates did not present a threat to national security.

The changes were needed, the government argued, to put an end to attempts by opposition lawmakers to paralyse the Legislative Council and help restore stability following the civil unrest of 2019.