Hong Kong Says Vote—or Else
By The Editorial Board, 11/29/21, Wall St. Journal
We bring you this message from Hong Kong because China’s
Communist Party wants the world to forget how it crushed
the autonomy it promised to the territory. On Monday
authorities issued arrest warrants for two pro-democracy
exiles who used social media to recommend that Hong Kongers
boycott sham legislative elections scheduled for December.
Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui urged Hong Kongers
to protest by casting blank ballots, & former district
councillor Yau Man-chun encouraged a boycott. Both now
face multiple charges for “engaging [in] illegal conduct
of inciting another person not to vote, or to cast invalid
vote, by activity in public during election period,”
authorities said Monday. The penalty is up to 3 years
in prison.
Messrs. Hui & Yau fled abroad amid Beijing’s crackdown,
but they could be arrested if they travel to the wrong
country. This is one way China is trying to enforce its
political crackdown even overseas. At least 3 other Hong
Kongers have been arrested on similar charges. Secretary
for Security Chris Tang said this month said that anyone
inciting electoral boycotts or protest votes may also be
in violation of the national security law.
During the Nov 2019 district council elections, Hong Kongers
humiliated China by voting in record numbers to elect pro-
democracy candidates. The govt responded by postponing the
Legislative Council elections, originally scheduled for
Sept 2020.
Beijing has since imposed new electoral rules that require
all candidates to receive pre-approval from the Communist
Party & swear an oath of fealty. The South China Morning
Postreported last week that only 3 of the 153 Legislative
Council candidates identify as pro-democracy. Meanwhile,
dozens of Hong Kong’s opposition leaders have been
arrested, disqualified from holding office, or driven
into exile.
Hong Kongers risk harsh penalties if they protest in
public. The police have announced plans to put some
10,000 officers on patrol on election day. Boycotts &
blank ballots are one of the last ways for Hong Kongers
to express their political views. The Hong Kong Public
Opinion Research Inst. surveyed residents this month &
found only 52% planned to vote next month. No wonder the
Communist Party fears another embarrassment.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kongs-rigged-election-china-legislative-council-11638224614
Hong Kong Says Vote—or Else
By The Editorial Board, 11/29/21, Wall St. Journal
We bring you this message from Hong Kong because China’s
Communist Party wants the world to forget how it crushed
the autonomy it promised to the territory. On Monday
authorities issued arrest warrants for two pro-democracy
exiles who used social media to recommend that Hong Kongers
boycott sham legislative elections scheduled for December.
Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui urged Hong Kongers
to protest by casting blank ballots, & former district
councillor Yau Man-chun encouraged a boycott. Both now
face multiple charges for “engaging [in] illegal conduct
of inciting another person not to vote, or to cast invalid
vote, by activity in public during election period,”
authorities said Monday. The penalty is up to 3 years
in prison.
Messrs. Hui & Yau fled abroad amid Beijing’s crackdown,
but they could be arrested if they travel to the wrong
country. This is one way China is trying to enforce its
political crackdown even overseas. At least 3 other Hong
Kongers have been arrested on similar charges. Secretary
for Security Chris Tang said this month said that anyone
inciting electoral boycotts or protest votes may also be
in violation of the national security law.
During the Nov 2019 district council elections, Hong Kongers
humiliated China by voting in record numbers to elect pro-
democracy candidates. The govt responded by postponing the
Legislative Council elections, originally scheduled for
Sept 2020.
Beijing has since imposed new electoral rules that require
all candidates to receive pre-approval from the Communist
Party & swear an oath of fealty. The South China Morning
Postreported last week that only 3 of the 153 Legislative
Council candidates identify as pro-democracy. Meanwhile,
dozens of Hong Kong’s opposition leaders have been
arrested, disqualified from holding office, or driven
into exile.
Hong Kongers risk harsh penalties if they protest in
public. The police have announced plans to put some
10,000 officers on patrol on election day. Boycotts &
blank ballots are one of the last ways for Hong Kongers
to express their political views. The Hong Kong Public
Opinion Research Inst. surveyed residents this month &
found only 52% planned to vote next month. No wonder the
Communist Party fears another embarrassment.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kongs-rigged-election-china-legislative-council-11638224614
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