, Dec 9 () –
The Chinese authorities have urged the international community on Thursday to refrain from any type of action that involves “interference” or “seeks to undermine” the electoral process in Hong Kong, scheduled for December 19.
“Foreign forces that use any avenue or excuse to try to intercede in the Legislative Council elections will run into forceful measures by the Chinese government,” said Liu Guangyuan, Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Hong Kong.
In a seminar on the “essence of democracy”, Liu has accused some Hong Kongers of being “bewitched” and “blinded” by an American-style democracy: “they think it is the solution to all the problems of society.”
He has also indicated that the Summit for Democracy is nothing more than an event to “distort the meaning of democracy and open up political conflicts,” as reported by the RTHK station.
The authorities have also condemned that the United States invited former Hong Kong MP Nathan Law to the summit, something that they have said can only have “diabolical political objectives.” “Isn’t it ironic that fugitive Nathan Law is treated like someone important at a summit on democracy?”
Dozens of Hong Kong activists have called from abroad to boycott the elections, which they consider to be designed “for patriots only” under the new electoral law of the Chinese special administrative region.
Thus, they have regretted that the new legislation only allows the election of a score of seats directly, although all candidates must first demonstrate their political loyalty and patriotism.
Most of the activists have been jailed or are prohibited from standing in the elections. Now, many of them advocate boycotting the process and ask residents not to go to the polls.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam urged the people of the Chinese special administrative region to vote in the elections. However, Lam has confirmed that there is no concrete turnout target – an issue that observers see as indispensable to support the legitimacy of the new parliament emanating from the elections.
Under the new regulations, only those classified as “true patriots” will be able to stand for election. For opponents and critical voices, the new measure seeks to increase the power of the central government over the region and undermines the freedoms and rights of the Hong Kong population.
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