Hong Kong's pro-Beijing government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, promptly used the new powers to disqualify four pro-democracy legislators who had previously called for foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. In response to the removal of their colleagues, Hong Kong's 15 remaining pro-democracy lawmakers said they would resign in protest, effectively giving pro-Beijing forces free reign in the city's legislature. "This decision further narrows Hong Kong's autonomy and the space for freedom of expression and public participation in governance in Hong Kong," Champagne said in a written statement on Wednesday. The issue of Hong Kong's autonomy has proven to be a thorn in an already chilled relationship between Canada and China. Canada has also quietly started approving asylum claims for families seeking to flee persecution in Hong Kong, something the Chinese ambassador to Canada warned against last month.

Source: CBC News November 11, 2020 22:56 UTC