‘Resist communism’ platform may antagonise Beijing, warns Fung

The “resist communism” electioneering platform used by some pan-democrats risked widening the gap of mistrust with Beijing, a veteran member of the camp said on Wednesday.

Speaking on RTHK radio on Wednesday morning, lawmaker Frederick Fung Kin-kee said such a rejection of the mainland as a whole would worsen the relationship between the pro-democracy camp and the central government.

“If mutual distrust persists, there might not be real universal suffrage in 2017. A negative impact would be created,” said Fung, a member of the Association of Democracy and People’s Livelihood, who won a “super seat” in Sunday’s election.

During electioneering for Sunday’s legislative election, the Civic Party emphasised its determination to “preserve Hong Kong values” and “resist communist ideas”.

Beijing authorities have pledged Hongkongers a one-person, one-vote election for the city’s chief executive, but the details have not been provided.

The Civic Party also stood firm against the government’s introduction of a course on national education, which critics say could brainwash students. The government has now shelved the deadline for making the course compulsory.

Also on the radio programme, Beijing loyalist Chan Yuen-han continued her criticism of “unscrupulous tricks” by fellow members of the pro-establishment camp during the final moments of the campaign.