US calls China’s planned electoral changes in Hong Kong a ‘direct attack’ on city’s autonomy
- ‘If implemented, these measures would drastically undermine Hong Kong democratic institutions,’ State Department spokesman says
- Biden administration intends to harness ‘collective action’ against Beijing for rights abuses, he says
Beijing’s plan to change Hong Kong’s electoral system is a “direct attack” on its autonomy and democratic processes, the US State Department said on Friday, adding that Washington was intent on “galvanising collective action” against Chinese rights abuses.
The comments by State Department spokesman Ned Price followed news earlier in the day that Beijing would tighten its grip on Hong Kong by altering the electoral committee that chooses the city’s leader, giving it enhanced power to nominate legislative candidates.
The measure, set for approval during a week-long annual meeting of China’s rubber-stamp National People’s Congress (NPC), would further marginalise the city’s opposition already on its heels after Beijing imposed national security legislation in the wake of pro-democracy protests that rattled Hong Kong in 2019.
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Two sessions: China’s parliament plans an overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system
The US condemns China’s “continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong”, Price said. “If implemented, these measures would drastically undermine Hong Kong democratic institutions.”
The Joe Biden administration, which on Wednesday termed China the biggest geopolitical challenge that the United States faces in the 21st century, has made cooperation among friendly nations a cornerstone of its strategy to counter the increasingly wealthy and assertive Asian power.
Price said Washington was conferring with allies and partners to “speak with one voice” in condemning China’s abuses against Uygurs and other Muslim minorities in the far western region of Xinjiang as well as the “repression” taking place in Hong Kong.
“I don’t think anyone is satisfied yet, with the international response to what has taken place in Xinjiang. And that’s precisely why we are, in many ways, galvanising the world, galvanising collective action, to make clear that these sort of abuses against human rights in Xinjiang and elsewhere will not be tolerated,” he said.