China trying to ‘erode democratic elements’, ‘eliminate dissenting voices’ in Hong Kong with electoral reform, G7 says
- The group says the changes will ‘stifle political pluralism’ and ‘erode democratic elements of the electoral system’ in Hong Kong
- G7 urges China to act in accordance with Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration
“This is a fundamental policy to maintain Hong Kong’s special administrative region’s political stability and the security of political authority,” it said in a statement on Saturday.
“The so-called statements issued by the US and the West are utterly biased and charged with double standards.”
The statement cited how the United States refined its election loopholes after the Capitol attack and how the European Parliament stripped immunity of former Catalan leader Carles Puiggemont and two other Catalan separatist MEPs who left Spain after the 2017 referendum.
“The hypocrisy of saying one thing and doing the other to slander and defame only further reveals these nations’ hegemonism,” it said.
“Which country in this world would allow non-patriots to hold public positions? What countries would allow politicians colluding with foreign forces, with subversion and separatism tendency to serve as local counsellors?” it said.