Hong Kong elections: Beijing yet to decide whether four opposition lawmakers barred from seeking re-election can serve for a Legco provisional term, sources say
- Pro-Beijing politician says HKMAO deputy director Zhang Xiaoming has an open mind on whether four opposition lawmakers can continue to serve
- China’s top legislative body is expected to issue a directive on matters surrounding delay in the elections at the end of its next meeting on August 11
Beijing has yet to decide whether Hong Kong lawmakers disqualified from the Legislative Council elections should be allowed to continue serving during a provisional term, sources say.
Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), kept an open mind on whether four opposition lawmakers could continue to serve after they were disqualified from running in the now-postponed polls, according to a pro-Beijing politician who met the senior official following his arrival in the city on Sunday.
Zhang is in Hong Kong to meet representatives from various sectors to discuss the postponement of the Legco polls and the legal issues arising from it.
“I told Zhang all serving legislators, including those who have been barred from seeking re-election, should be allowed to stay in the extended term of a provisional Legco,” the pro-Beijing figure said.
“It would do no harm as the pro-establishment camp enjoys a majority in the legislature.
“Zhang was open to different views and had no strong or preconceived views on the issue. But my views are among the minority within the pro-establishment camp. The majority favours banning those who have been disqualified from staying on.”