China has dealt another blow to democratic Hong Kong, as it greatly reduced the number of elected seats in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
An announcement was made on Tuesday in Hong Kong, saying that only 20 of the council’s 90 seats will be filled through elections.
The changes were announced Tuesday after a two-day meeting of China’s top legislature.
Currently, 35 of the legislature’s 70 seats are elected.
While China reclaimed Hong Kong in 1997, Hong Kong has had a more democratic government, which China has struggled to control.
The tightening of Chinese control over Hong Kong follows 2019 protests that brought hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents into the streets to protest China’s increasingly restrictive rule.
“It’s a very sad day for Hong Kong. The election system is completely dismantled,” said former lawmaker and Democratic Party member Emily Lau.
“They are going to get rid of opposition voices because under this new system, which is so oppressive and restrictive, I don’t think any self-respecting individual will want to take part,” Lau said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
Earlier, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in Beijing amended Hong Kong’s constitution to allow for the changes in Hong Kong’s government.
The new legislative council will include 20 elected members, 30 chosen by specific constituencies and 40 by an Election Committee, which also chooses the city’s top leader.
The committee remains in control by supporters of Beijing. Those seeking higher office will need to be cleared by Chinese government committees, including the national security police and a committee that oversees national security in Hong Kong.
Additionally, as outlined by the National Security Committee, candidates will need to be reviewed to deem whether they are “patriots.”
