Chinese conspiracy to strip democracy: Reduces public voting rights in Hong Kong

The latest Chinese move will not only undermine democratic institutions in the semi-autonomous city but has wiped out the prevailing pro-democracy sentiments.

Hong Kong: With the overhaul of election rules in Hong Kong, China has stamped out the opposition by reducing public voting rights. The Hong Kong legislature passed a bill amending electoral laws that drastically curtails islanders` right to vote as the majority of lawmakers would be selected by a pro-Beijing committee vetted by national security officers for its legislature. The changes to Hong Kong`s elections come as Beijing further tightens control over the semi-autonomous city that saw months of anti-government protest and political strife since 2019. The latest Chinese move will not only undermine democratic institutions in the semi-autonomous city but has wiped out the prevailing pro-democracy sentiments. It severely constrains people from meaningfully participating in their own governance and having their voices heard for which they have been fighting for so long. Chinese authorities said the electoral shake-up is aimed at getting rid of "loopholes and deficiencies" that threatened national security during anti-government unrest in 2019 and ensure only "patriots" run the city. The changes will reduce the proportion of seats in the legislature that are filled by direct elections from half to less than a quarter. A new body will vet candidates and bar those deemed insufficiently patriotic towards China from standing.