China has made it clear that they are ready to bring Hong Kong under its full control and improve the system that has permitted the region to enjoy a level of autonomy for the last 23 years.
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We will ensure the long-term stability of ‘one country, two systems, Wang Yang, a top party official of the Chinese Community party said at the opening of the annual meeting of the country’s top political advisory body.
After gradually corroding Hong Kong’s freedom of assembly and expression and an independent legal system, the Chinese communist party now looks to amend the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
“We will ensure the long-term stability of ‘one country, two systems,’” Wang said. The meeting is the first part of the “Two Sessions,” which will continue till Friday with the opening of the National People’s Congress.
“We will continue to promote the development of the implementation of the systems and mechanisms of the constitution and Basic Law,” Wang said in his “Work Report” to the meeting.
Wang did not clarify on what “improve” meant and also referred to the Chinese territory of Macao whose leaders had given in to Beijing’s’ demands. Experts said it was clear that China wanted to snatch Hong Kong’s freedom and its democratic, autonomous status.
Under Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party has aggressively limited the freedom of Hong Kong which it enjoyed under the UK. The situation has deteriorated in the last year since violent protests erupted against Chinese interventions.
China has placed obstinate officials in Hong Kong who are keen to promote ‘patriotic education’ to inject more loyalty towards China and support a bill that would make it a felony to disrespect Chinese national anthem.
A Hong Kong delegate to the National People’s Congress has recommended that China must execute a package of national security laws by issuing a formal reinterpretation of Hong Kong laws, rather than attempting to pass it through the territory’s legislature.
Wang said that China fully-backed the Hong Kong officials’ attempts to “avoid violence in Hong Kong and to restore order.”
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington was “closely watching what’s going on” in Hong Kong, adding that pro-democracy legislators had been “manhandled” while trying to stop a procedural irregularity by pro-Beijing legislators.”
Wang lambasted the US for its demand to respect Hong Kong’s status and the appeals for democratic change. “As to the U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress and their actions, like the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act… we have made solemn statements to refute such lies,” he said.
