CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS PASSAGE OF THE HONGKONG ELECTION REFORM BILL BY NPC AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

The US State Department released a statement by US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on March 11, evening in apparent reaction to the passage of the Hongkong Reform Bill by China's NPC on March 11, and asserting that "the United States condemns the PRC’s continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong". It said " The National People’s Congress decision today to unilaterally change Hong Kong’s electoral system is a direct attack on autonomy promised to people in Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration" and deny Hong Kongers a voice in their own governance. Stating that Beijing’s actions run counter to the Basic Law’s clear acknowledgement that Hong Kong elections should progress towards universal suffrage, it called "on the PRC to uphold its international obligations and commitments and to act consistently with Hong Kong’s Basic Law.  The PRC’s attempt to label its crackdown on Hong Kong as an “internal matter” ignores the commitments Beijing made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration to uphold Hong Kong’s autonomy and enumerated rights and freedoms until at least 2047." The statement also urged "these authorities to release and drop charges against all individuals charged under the National Security Law and other laws merely for standing for elections or for their expressions of dissenting views". The statement said in conclusion that "The United States stands united with our allies and partners in speaking out for the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong".

(Comment: The NPC approved the 'Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' on March 11, 2021. It takes immediate effect. The Decision passed with 2895 votes in favour and 1 abstention, indicating unanimous support.)






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