Mainland official agrees with Hong Kong poll ban for anyone decrying ‘one-party dictatorship’
Deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Macau is the first person from the central government to back Tam Yiu-chung over assessment that drew the ire of pan-democrats
Concerns over further political vetting in Hong Kong elections mounted on Tuesday as a mainland official said city residents who call for an end to “one-party dictatorship” in China might be disqualified from running for local office.
Chen Sixi, deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Macau, was the first member of the central government to weigh in on the controversy sparked by Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to China’s top legislative body.
He was referring to a phrase newly added to the first article of the country’s constitution, stating that the Communist Party’s leadership is “the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
Chen was on Tuesday asked if the amendments implied Hongkongers who called for an end to “one-party dictatorship” would be disqualified from future elections.
“According to my understanding, [the answer is] yes,” he said.