Hong Kong to Effectively Lose Their Opposition Party

Numerous pro-democracy legislators resigned from the legislature of Hong Kong, an important financial hub, in response to a national security resolution passed by Beijing on Wednesday. (Flickr)

Upon the expulsion of four pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers from the Legislative Council under a new Chinese resolution, fifteen of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers resigned in protest on Thursday. The four expelled legislators had previously faced bans on running for office in the city's upcoming elections. Taken together, these officials comprised almost the entire opposition party to the pro-Beijing camp in Hong Kong, 

These events occurred due to the passing of a new resolution in Beijing on Wednesday, which allows Hong Kong’s executive to bypass the court system and directly fire members of the city’s Legislative Council (LegCo). More specifically, elected lawmakers can be disqualified from the LegCo if they fail to uphold the basic law of Hong Kong, threaten national security, refuse to acknowledge China’s sovereignty over the city, or promote Hong Kong independence. The last aspect concerning Hong Kong’s independence refers to the idea that the city should have political independence from mainland China. This stands in contrast to the “One Country, Two System” framework established by the United Kingdom when they handed over Hong Kong in 1997. 

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, appointed with heavy influence from Beijing, supports the expulsion of the aforementioned lawmakers. She believes that legislators must act as “patriots” and therefore conduct themselves properly for the benefit of their constituency. While she has said that she encourages diversity of opinion, this statement does not reflect the crackdown on dissent promulgated by pro-Beijing parties in Hong Kong. Dennis Kwok, one of the expelled lawmakers, said that “[I]t is ridiculous that the government has given up on the Basic Law and One Country Two Systems,” reflecting the concerns of many observers. 

This marks the latest step by Beijing to quench dissent and essentially integrate Hong Kong back into the political framework of mainland China. In June, the National Security Law criminalized subversion, enabled the city’s executive to appoint judges to hear cases on national security, and allowed the surveillance of those suspected of violating the law, among other things. This time last year, massive anti-government protests raged on the streets, but COVID-19 and the stifling of dissent have resulted in the lack of any current protesting despite the threats to Hong Kong’s sensitive democracy.

Around the world, many worry about China’s rapid expansion of power throughout all aspects of Hong Kong’s government. Pro-Beijing committees have already chosen Hong Kong’s chief executive and filled half of the LegCo’s seats. Furthermore, due to Wednesday’s resolution, numerous legislators from the elected half of the LegCo resigned altogether. This sparks concerns about the creation of a “rubber-stamp parliament” in Hong Kong that acts as a façade for Beijing in the special administrative region.  

Pro-Beijing lawmakers now have an opening to fast-track controversial legislation on which they plan to capitalize. They have voiced desires to expand voting rights in city elections to Hong Kongers who live in mainland China and revise the Liberal Studies high school curriculum, which they blame for turning younger people against the government.  

The United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, among others, have condemned China for these actions. The UK in particular has stated that in passing Wednesday’s resolution, China has violated the handover. The Trump administration also announced sanctions on four more Chinese officials on Thursday in response to this law.