Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, Criticizes "Hong Kong Election System Reform Violates Hong Kong Basic Law"

Public Office Election Candidates Restricted as 'Patriots' by Chinese Authorities
Number of Hong Kong Directly Elected Legislators Reduced to 20 Seats

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken fiercely criticized the Chinese government for violating the 'Hong Kong Basic Law,' Hong Kong's constitution, which China had presented to the international community, in relation to the overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system. With this electoral reform, the number of seats directly elected by residents has been drastically reduced from 35 to 20, and only candidates deemed 'patriots' by Chinese authorities can run for public office, raising concerns that Hong Kong's pro-democracy forces will be significantly weakened.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 27th (local time), Secretary Blinken issued a statement regarding the electoral reform in Hong Kong, saying, "The overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system further undermines Hong Kong's democratic freedoms," and "This violates the Hong Kong Basic Law announced by the Chinese government in 1997 when it promised 'one country, two systems.'" He emphasized, "China and Hong Kong authorities must allow all Hong Kong people to have a voice."

Blinken's remarks are interpreted as criticism of the main contents of the electoral reform announced earlier by Hong Kong's legislature, the Legislative Council. On that day, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the electoral reform bill, which restricts candidates in public elections to those deemed patriots by the authorities, with 40 votes in favor and 2 against. According to the bill, Hong Kong authorities and police can investigate the backgrounds of candidates running for public office and restrict those judged not to be patriots from running.

Additionally, the number of seats in the Hong Kong Legislative Council will increase from the current 70 to 90, of which 40 seats will be elected by a restricted electorate controlled by Chinese authorities, effectively filling them with pro-China legislators. The number of legislators directly elected by Hong Kong residents has been drastically reduced from 35 to 20. The U.S. side argues that this violates the principle guaranteed by the Hong Kong Basic Law to "guarantee universal suffrage to Hong Kong residents."

Secretary Blinken stated, "The United States, together with its allies, will respond to represent the human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed to Hong Kong residents under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong Basic Law announced at the time of Hong Kong's handover," warning that sanctions against China related to the Hong Kong issue may continue in the future.