China Extends Hong Kong Legislative Council Members' Terms by Over One Year... Follow-up to Election Postponement

Hong Kong Citizens Lining Up to Buy Apple Daily

(Hong Kong AP=Yonhap News) After the arrest of the owner of Apple Daily, Hong Kong's leading anti-China media outlet, citizens lined up in front of a newsstand in the city center on the 11th to show their support by purchasing the newspaper. Jimmy Lai, the owner of Apple Daily, was arrested at his home the previous day on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law.
Photo by sungok@yna.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] China has decided to extend the terms of current Hong Kong Legislative Council members by more than one year to prevent a legislative vacuum in Hong Kong caused by the one-year postponement of the Legislative Council election.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's highest legislative body, passed a resolution on the 11th to allow the 6th Hong Kong Legislative Council to continue performing its duties, according to state-run China Central Television (CCTV).

According to CCTV, under this decision, the terms of the Legislative Council members will be extended by more than one year, allowing them to retain their seats until the term of the 7th Legislative Council begins. The original term expiration date was the 30th of next month.

CCTV also reported that the term of the 7th Legislative Council members remains four years.

Earlier, the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission disqualified four incumbent legislators, including Alvin Yeung, chairman of the Civic Party, and Dennis Kwok, as well as 12 pro-democracy figures including Joshua Wong, from running in the next election on the 30th of last month.

The following day, the Hong Kong government decided to postpone the election scheduled for September 6 by one year, citing a resurgence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

There was speculation that the extension of the terms of the four legislators initially banned from running might not be allowed, but the South China Morning Post reported that a path has been opened for them to continue serving as legislators.

NPC Standing Committee member Tam Yiu-chung stated that whether the disqualified legislators need to retake the oath or undergo additional procedures is "a matter for the Hong Kong government to decide."

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has stated that extending the terms of these legislators is the most practical approach.

The NPC Standing Committee emphasized that this decision is to uphold Hong Kong's constitution and the rule of law. It is intended to ensure the normal governance of the Special Administrative Region government and the normal operation of society. They added that it is consistent with the constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law, and is necessary and justified.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR issued a statement supporting the NPC Standing Committee's decision and pledged cooperation in related work.