Political reform and national security law can be achieved ‘at the same time’, Hong Kong think tank claims
The Hong Kong Policy Research Institute wants to see a committee with members from all sections of society set up to oversee consultation on reform
A committee with members from all corners of Hong Kong society should be formed to propose a new round of political reforms, including the enactment of a national security law, a think tank led by a former Legislative Council president said on Sunday.
The Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, whose convenor is veteran pro-Beijing politician Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, believed tying both issues together and rolling out a public consultation would help both aims be achieved.
“The opposition camp always says it wants to see universal suffrage before considering a national security law, while Beijing apparently likes to see Hong Kong have a national security law first before any political reforms,” Tsang said.
“If we do both at the same time, we believe the concerns of both sides can be addressed at the same time.”
The proposals are from the organisation’s year-long review of “one country, two systems”, the model by which Beijing has governed Hong Kong since it returned to Chinese rule 21 years ago.