Beijing: China passed a measure requiring Hong Kong lawmakers to be “patriots,” the South China Morning Post reported, a move to curb debate in a democratic institution that has endured more than two decades after the former British colony’s return.
China’s top legislative body approved the provision behind closed doors in Beijing Wednesday to would make “patriotism” a requirement for Hong Kong lawmakers, the newspaper reported, citing a person it didn’t identify. Earlier reports of the potential for such a proposal have alarmed the 20 opposition lawmakers on the city’s 70-seat Legislative Council, with the bloc threatening on Monday to resign if any of their own are disqualified.
The resolution could give the Hong Kong government power to directly disqualify lawmakers in question without going through courts, report said, citing two other unidentified people.- Bloomberg