Western allies express ‘grave concern’ over Hong Kong polls

HONG KONG: Western allies condemned Hong’s Kong’s “patriots only” legislature vote on Monday, saying new rules imposed by Beijing that reduced directly elected seats and controlled who could stand had “eliminated” opposition.

China has overseen a sweeping crackdown in Hong Kong in response to huge and often violent democracy protests two years ago. It imposed a national security law that criminalised much dissent and introduced political rules that vet the loyalty of anyone standing for office.

The first public vote under this new order was held on Sunday for the city’s legislature, with a historic low turnout recorded and the number of those directly elected slashed from half to 22%.

Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand rebuked the new system in a coordinated joint statement.

“These changes eliminated any meaningful political opposition,” the five allies said. “We also remain gravely concerned at the wider chilling effect of the National Security Law and the growing restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, which are being felt across civil society,” they added.

China called on Hong Kongers to embrace the new rules that they say will restore stability and root out disruptive “antichina” elements for good.

But figures showed just 30% of the electorate cast ballots, the lowest rate both of the period since the city’s 1997 handover to China and the British colonial era. China had “restored order” and brought “democracy back on track” in Hong Kong, the State Council said in the white paper on Monday.