Time will tell that electoral changes in Hong Kong don’t undermine rights and freedom in the SAR, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said. Under the revamp, the Election Committee, which currently only chooses the Chief Executive, will be tasked with nominating candidates standing in Legislative Council elections. Lam rejected claims suggesting the changes would silence dissidents, saying freedom and rights still exist in Hong Kong today, as seen in the many criticisms on her in newspapers. She explained Hong Kong cannot handle electoral matters on its own due to the city’s special political structure, and therefore triggered Beijing’s move. Pro-democracy activists can still run for elections as long as they are “patriots,” a basic requirement for those governing Hong Kong, she added.

Source: The Standard March 13, 2021 06:05 UTC