Beijing’s Hong Kong officials wade into ‘democracy’ debate, blast US for using it as a pretext to interfere in city affairs

US has ‘twisted definition of democracy’, local audience hears as officials warn against any meddling in Legislative Council election on December 19

Foreign ministry’s top official in the city praises overhaul of electoral system at three-hour event, blaming foreign actors for 2019 protests, opposition filibustering

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The central government’s liaison office deputy director Chen Dong (left) and Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the foreign ministry office in Hong Kong, slammed alleged US interference in city affairs on Thursday. Photo: May Tse

Published: 3:34pm, 9 Dec 2021Updated: 7:43pm, 9 Dec 2021

China’s top officials in Hong Kong have accused the United States of using democracy as a pretext to stir up trouble in the city, joining a recent chorus of government voices in attempting to redefine the word’s meaning.

Coinciding with the start of US President Joe Biden’s virtual “Summit for Democracy”, officials from Beijing’s foreign ministry and liaison office on Thursday toplined a government-organised seminar intended to offer a counterpoint.

Blaming the US and other foreign actors, at least in part, for Hong Kong’s 2019 social unrest as well as opposition lawmakers’ filibustering, local foreign ministry commissioner Liu Guangyuan also warned that Beijing would not allow any country to meddle with the Legislative Council election on December 19.

“Whatever electoral system that Hong Kong is using, it is China’s internal affair. Whatever form or disguise you are using to interfere with the Legislative Council election, you will be strongly countered by the Chinese government,” he said.

Lawrence Lau, former head of Chinese University, spoke at the Thursday seminar devoted to tackling the meaning of democracy. Photo: May Tse

Liu also said Beijing’s radical overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system had been entirely necessary.

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