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Hong Kong elite selects powerful new 'patriots only' committee

21 Comments
By Yan Zhao and Su Xinqi

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21 Comments
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Hong Kong is a dictatorship, there is not any minute semblance or pretense of freedom of expression, speech. 

This is nonsense. a farce, nothing more than a meaningless façade.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Hong Kong is dead.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

This is sad for true democracy. HK is becoming more and more of a one-party state - rather like Japan.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Ironic. Anyone who joins the "patriots only committee" is not a patriot.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

This is sad for true democracy. HK is becoming more and more of a one-party state - rather like Japan

Either you are ignorant of the differences between the systems, and not just the "one party" or you are just looking to stir the pot

Which is it? No one has ever tried to compare HK and Japan until you.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Which is it? No one has ever tried to compare HK and Japan until you.

Oh boo hoo. If the LDP are kicked out of power anytime soon, I'll take back my words. Until then, the opposition in Japan are merely for looking at.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Millions of foreign people have good memories of that spectacular spot in that photo.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Oh boo hoo. If the LDP are kicked out of power anytime soon, I'll take back my words. Until then, the opposition in Japan are merely for looking at.

I don't think anyone would seriously dispute that there are problems with Japanese democracy, particularly when one takes into consideration the fact that since the end of WW2 the LDP have run Japan almost the entire time.

However, the LDP isn't locking dissidents up. They're not shutting down the Red Flag newspaper. Kind of an unfair comparison, in my opinion.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Hong Kong is a filthy sewer, a backwater of China. A place with zero freedom, zero democracy, corrupt leadership and where people who show any dissent at all are rapidly "disappearing" off the streets and never seen again.

"Patriots only" = COMMUNIST ONLY.

Boycott terror state Hong Kong.

Boycott Communist China.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

What happened to 'one country, two systems'? Never trust a word the CCP says. They lie through their teeth.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Beijing insists the new political system is more representative and will ensure "anti-China" elements are not allowed into office.

Well, no and yes, but to the first and second halves of that sentences respectively.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Pukey: Good words!

@FightO: Right on Wahington. Exactly!

@PettySmith: Why so angry all the time? Fighto's words and thoughts are not redundant. They are truths in my eyes.

@Concerned: Not sure how the one country two systems broke up so quickly, but it is a sure warning to Taiwan not to believe in Xi.

@Myself: With my vehement online anti-Xi and his thug CCP group I cannot and never will go to HK/CCP State and the mainland again but 100% support Taiwan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

concerned citizen...

What happened to 'one country, two systems'?

Good question. The CCP are keeping their part of the deal. It is the "independence" movement that wants TWO COUNTRIES. Even today the people of Hong Kong have more say in their government than they ever did under the British.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Even today the people of Hong Kong have more say in their government than they ever did under the British.

That's the irony of it all. And Chris Patten was given the leadership role of being the last British governor of HK as a consolation prize after losing his seat of Bath. That's how much the Brits thought of HK, a top financial city of the world. Real elections didn't materialize until after 1997.

Foreign permanent residents in HK can participate in voting (and they may also become lawmakers, I think). I've certainly seen foreigners in high ranking positions within the judicial system and police. I'm saying all this because some people seem to think certain other countries are a LOT better and more foreigner-friendly.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Hong Kong is no more!!!!

Boycott VILE China!!!

Boycott Genocide Olympics!!!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The only way that China will change is when the USA and the rest of the world invest heavily in LDCs such as India, Philippines and Thailand so that they may improve and increase their exports. Until China has a manufacturing competitor and the USA reduces its imports from China, then China will do as it pleases. Economic or military confrontation is inevitable in the future. It would be wise to reduce the growth rate of GDP of China now before it becomes more powerful in the future!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ah yes, the old trot out the word "patriot" gambit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Poor Hong Kong has a rich history, but such a poor future under CCP rule. They deserve better.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Foreign permanent residents in HK can participate in voting (and they may also become lawmakers, I think). I've certainly seen foreigners in high ranking positions within the judicial system and police. I'm saying all this because some people seem to think certain other countries are a LOT better and more foreigner-friendly.

Uhhh...Did you read the article?

Back in 2016, some 233,000 Hong Kongers were allowed to select the Election Committee.

That figure has now been trimmed to around 4,800 -- 0.6 percent of Hong Kong's 7.5 million population. Police said 6,000 officers were on standby to ensure there were no protests or disruptions.

Tell me, how Democratic you think that is? 4,800 "patriots" get to select the next leader, and half the HK legislative body.

Beijing insists the new political system is more representative and will ensure "anti-China" elements are not allowed into office.

Yes, very Democratic indeed. You're not allowed to hold anti-China views.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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