Hong Kong Issues a Threat to the WSJ
Letters, 12/5/21, Wall St. Journal

I regret that your editorial “Hong Kong Says Vote—or Else”
(Nov. 30) contains baseless assumptions. The Legislative
Council election, originally due to be held in Hong Kong
on Sept. 6, 2020, was postponed for one year owing to the
public-health risk posed by Covid-19, not because of the
result of the district council election. With the pandemic
effectively contained, the election has now been scheduled
to take place on Dec. 19, as promised.

To suggest that “Hong Kongers risk harsh penalties if they
protest in public” is not only incorrect but also scare-
mongering. Hong Kong’s Basic Law and National Security Law
stipulate that rights and freedoms, including freedom of
speech, the press, publication, association, assembly &
demonstration, shall be protected. But any manipulation to
sabotage an election won't be tolerated. It's perfectly in
line with international practice for the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region (HKSAR) govt to take enforcement
action against lawbreakers who attempt to sabotage elections.

People with different opinions are able to participate in
the political system, as long as they uphold the Basic Law &
swear allegiance to the HKSAR. This pledge of allegiance is
no different from that required of officeholders around the
world. It's also totally untrue that “Beijing has since
imposed new electoral rules that require all candidates to
receive pre-approval from the Communist Party.”

We encourage all eligible voters to take part in the
election next month. Surely every govt would want its
residents to cast valid votes in any election. Therefore,
I'm shocked by your statement that “boycotts and blank
ballots are one of the last ways for Hong Kongers to
express their political views.”

Please be advised that inciting another person not to vote,
or to cast an invalid vote, by activity in public during an
election period is an offense under section 27A of the
Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, irrespec-
tive whether the incitement is made in Hong Kong or abroad.
We reserve the right to take necessary action.

Erick Tsang, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs
Hong Kong SAR

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kong-china-wsj-threat-election-legco-democracy-freedom-protest-ccp-11638575014

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