Chinese state leader Zhang Dejiang announces Beijing’s plans to tighten grip on Hong Kong
NPC chief calls on city to enact controversial national security legislation
China’s No 3 state leader on Saturday warned Hong Kong not to confront the central government over the “high degree of autonomy” it was promised and that it must enact its own national security laws, as he laid down Beijing’s sternest and most detailed strategy for the city in recent years.
Zhang Dejiang announced that Beijing would “go into further details” about consolidating its sovereignty over Hong Kong in several areas, such as the pace of political reform, its power over the chief executive, and its authority to appoint and dismiss key officials.
“Hong Kong’s political structure is neither separation of powers nor led by the legislature or judiciary. It is an executive-led one, with the chief executive as the core,” he said.
He called on judges and officials to “take the lead to learn the Basic Law”.
“In recent years there were ... attempts to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity, breaking it away from the country,” Zhang said.
“One cannot turn a blind eye to such acts, and the [Hong Kong] special administrative region should steadfastly implement the constitutional obligation of national security under the Basic Law.”
The last attempt to enact the contentious legislation, in 2003, brought half a million Hongkongers out on the streets in protest.
Speaking months after Hong Kong’s second and third highest-ranking officials clashed in the chief executive race, Zhang said it was necessary for the city’s governing team to be made up of “patriots who sincerely support [China’s] sovereignty”.
The Basic Law also promises the city a “high degree of autonomy.”
During his 50-minute speech on Saturday, Zhang addressed that autonomy directly, saying: “The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of power, not power-sharing.
“Under no circumstances should the central government’s powers be confronted in the name of a high degree of autonomy.”
Observers were divided on the effect Zhang’s comments would have on future policy.
Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chair of a leading Beijing-based think tank on Hong Kong, said Zhang’s overall remarks were not new, while his call for national security laws was more like “saying it as a matter of principle”.
But Johnny Lau Yui-siu, a veteran China commentator, voiced concern over Zhang’s suggestion that Beijing would assess the ability of Hong Kong officials to support the Basic Law and to pledge allegiance to the nation and the city.