Advertisement
John Lee
Hong KongPolitics

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

  • Group of Seven nations and European Union attack the vote on Sunday as undermining political pluralism in Hong Kong
  • But Beijing and winner John Lee defend the process as a democratic representation of broad interests and one tailored to the city’s actual situation

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
Votes are talliied at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang
Tony Cheung
A war of words has erupted between Western and Chinese diplomats over Hong Kong’s leadership election, with the Group of Seven nations and the European Union calling the vote an attack on established freedoms and Beijing and Chief Executive-elect John Lee Ka-chiu defending the need for “patriots” to decide who governs.
Advertisement

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.”

John Lee waves from the stage at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday. Photo: Nora Tam
John Lee waves from the stage at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday. Photo: Nora Tam

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.

Advertisement