Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam slams former opposition leader for ‘not understanding democracy’

While Lam did not name the politician, former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing had said it would be ‘humiliating’ for opposition camp to seek nominations from rivals

Chief executive also confirms a bill will be tabled at Legco next Wednesday that will include amendments to five key ordinances aimed at getting the city ‘back on track’ following political turmoil

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Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Thursday set April 14 as the date Legco will table a bill implementing Beijing’s recent electoral overhaul. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 11:01am, 8 Apr 2021Updated: 6:33pm, 8 Apr 2021

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has slammed a former opposition leader for “not understanding democracy”, after the politician said it would be “humiliating” for would-be lawmakers to seek nominations from their political rivals as mandated under Beijing’s sweeping overhaul of the city’s electoral system.

While Lam did not name the ex-lawmaker, former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing had spoken of “humiliating” requirements for the opposition camp after China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, approved a drastic plan to shake up Hong Kong’s political framework on March 30.

At a question and answer session in the Legislative Council on Thursday, Lam said: “Anyone who publicly pursues a political career should not feel humiliated for striving for nominations. Those who said [it was humiliating] do not understand the essence of elections and democracy.”

The chief executive also confirmed a bill would be tabled at a special Legco meeting next Wednesday that would include amendments to five key ordinances aimed at getting the city “back on track” following the political turmoil of recent years.

Lam added that the bill would still be subject to the approval of her de facto cabinet, the Executive Council, on Tuesday.

Under the sweeping revamp approved by the standing committee on March 30, the newly powerful 1,200-member Election Committee will be expanded to a 1,500-strong body to further cement the pro-establishment camp’s dominance.

It will be made up of five sectors representing elements of the business community, professionals, social groups, local politicians and Hong Kong delegates to the national legislature and other mainland Chinese bodies.