Hong Kong elections: is Macau a harbinger of city’s political future? Only 2 opposition faces in local polls for 1,500-strong Election Committee

Analysts have noted that under a Beijing overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, the political landscapes of both cities look more similar than ever

Some argue that there is new space for centrists, while others say the only winners are establishment loyalists

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Published: 8:00am, 16 Sep 2021Updated: 9:01pm, 17 Sep 2021

In the second of our three-part series on the Election Committee polls this Sunday, the Post looks at the near-total wipeout of opposition members in the powerful body, portending the future of the legislative elections. Read part one and three.

Tiny Macau built its global reputation and economy on the backs of gleaming towers dedicated to round-the-clock gambling, all while steered by a government operating free of the firebrand activism long the hallmark of politics in neighbouring Hong Kong.

The contrasting nature of the two cities was summed up neatly by Li Zhanshu, China’s No 3 official, during a landmark visit to Macau in December 2019.

Li praised its leaders for successfully executing the “one country, two systems” principle that defines relations between the two special administrative regions and the central government. They had also managed to preserve the social foundation for implementing the Basic Law and ensuring “patriots” occupied key government posts, he said.

At a time when Hong Kong was being rocked by near-weekly, often violent protests, Li’s message was clear: one city should look to the other for guidance.

Macau recently held its legislative elections. Photo: Xinhua

Following Beijing’s drastic overhaul of the electoral system in Hong Kong and the near-collapse of the opposition, the political landscapes of the neighbours bear more similarities than ever before, analysts have noted.

SCMP Series

Spotlight on Hong Kong Election Committee polls

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