European Union urges Hong Kong to adopt 'genuine choice' in elections amid city's reform fracas

The European Union weighed in on Hong Kong’s political reform, saying people should be given a “genuine choice” in electing the city’s leader in 2017.

The choice of words echo the calls of pan-democrats, who have vowed not to back the government’s proposal because a nominating committee, expected to be heavily influenced by Beijing, would decide who can and cannot run in the chief executive election.

“As a stakeholder in Hong Kong’s future, the EU supports the wish of the Hong Kong people to have a high degree of political participation and a genuine choice in the chief executive election of 2017 and thereafter,” it said in a press release yesterday on its latest annual report on the former British colony.

“The EU hopes that, through constructive discussions between Hong Kong’s government and its people within the framework of the Basic Law, Hong Kong will be able to reach a timely agreement on a credible, transparent and inclusive election system,” it said.

The EU also “reiterated its commitment” to democracy, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and rights in Hong Kong and its attachment to the introduction of universal suffrage.

Hong Kong’s unique system of governance under the “one country two systems” principle continues overall to serve it well “notwithstanding significant challenges last year”, according to the report prepared by the European External Action Service and the European Commission.