Hong Kong Legislative Council Becoming Dominated by Pro-China Figures... China Preparing to Revise Election System

In September last year, Hong Kong police were conducting checks and searches on protesters who were protesting against the postponement of the Legislative Council election, citing the COVID-19 situation.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] China is gradually preparing for the reform of Hong Kong's electoral system to fill the Hong Kong Legislative Council with pro-China members.

On the 23rd (local time), according to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK and others, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, emphasized the need for the Chinese government to reform Hong Kong's electoral system. Lam stated at a regular briefing, "It is clear that the central government of China has reached the stage of taking measures to address the current situation, including electoral reform." She added, "I understand what the central government is very concerned about," and "They do not want the situation to worsen."

Lam's remarks came in response to a question about the statement made by Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council of China. Xia, in a confidential video meeting, said, "Anyone who opposes China or seeks to divide Hong Kong should not hold key positions," and "The most urgent issue in Hong Kong right now is electoral reform, and legal loopholes must be closed." He further emphasized, "Not only must all elections be conducted fairly and properly, but the entry of those opposing China and dividing Hong Kong into Hong Kong authorities must be effectively blocked."

Following Xia's remarks, who is the highest-ranking official in the Chinese government responsible for Hong Kong, analyses emerged suggesting that the Chinese government would soon revise Hong Kong's electoral system. Subsequently, on the 22nd (local time), the U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the electoral reform plan for Hong Kong is expected to be passed at the upcoming annual major political event in China, the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), scheduled for early next month.

WSJ, citing sources, reported that China intends to eliminate 117 district council seats from the 1,200-member Election Committee responsible for selecting Hong Kong's Chief Executive and replace them with pro-China figures. The district council Election Committee seats are formed by a winner-takes-all system. Given that the pro-democracy camp won a landslide victory by securing 388 out of 452 seats in the 2019 district council elections, it is highly likely that all 117 district council Election Committee seats are held by the pro-democracy camp.

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Hong Kong media such as Ming Pao speculate that the Chinese government will also revise the electoral districts for Legislative Council geographical constituency members. Currently, there are five districts, and it is expected that these will be subdivided to favor the pro-China camp's vote share. There is also speculation about the possible establishment of a separate body to vet the qualifications of electoral candidates.

However, Lam drew a line by stating that the electoral reform is neither targeted solely at the pro-democracy camp nor intended to suppress all opposition. She said, "The only reason for reforming Hong Kong's electoral system is to ensure that anyone governing Hong Kong is a patriot." She added, "Those to be suppressed are those who advocate Hong Kong independence, plunge Hong Kong into chaos, forget that they are Chinese, or collude with foreign governments to harm Hong Kong's prosperity."