Hong Kong Opposition to Block Beijing-Backed Reform Package

In two weeks, Hong Kong’s legislative council will decide whether to pass a key reform package. It’s supposed to be part of a plan to move towards democracy in the region. But the entire opposition caucus has indicated they will block it, saying it doesn’t deliver enough change.

[Albert Ho, Chairman of HK Democratic Party]:
“We feel that it is very difficult to support this 2012 political reform package. This is the only opinion we can provide to the democratic camp.”

The former British colony was promised a Western-style democracy when it was handed back to China in 1997. Since 2003, Hong Kong’s pan-democratic camp has pushed for universal suffrage—so people can directly elect their leader and legislature.

In April this year, Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed administration announced a new package for democratic reform. It would increase the number of people who chose Hong Kong’s Chief executive from 800 to 1200.  The region’s legislature would also increase in size. But only half would be elected, with the other half picked by special interest groups.

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party says this latest reform package doesn’t do much towards advancing democracy. They’ve said they will vote down the package unless more meaningful changes are made.

But on Monday, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary submitted that package, unchanged, to the Legislative Council. And on the same day, senior Beijing official Qiao Xiaoyang made a public address to Hong Kong’s Democrats, urging them not to block it.  Qiao said that, quote “international norms allow reasonable, legal restrictions to voting rights.”

Qiao’s speech raised doubts about whether Beijing is truly committed to reform in Hong Kong. Many Democrats believe Beijing is trying to interfere with the democratic progress in the region, by only giving the appearance of more democracy but without making real change.

[Albert Ho, Chairman of Opposition Democratic Party]:
“The so-called equal rights, does it only apply to the right to vote? Or will it also include the right to nominate candidates and to participate in the election?”

Hong Kong’s lawmakers will decide on June 23 whether the reform package will go through.

Foto: NTDTV