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Beijing Highly Praised Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Election and Condemned the EU & G7

The election of the sixth-term chief executive of Hong Kong was held on May 8. The only candidate who ran for this office, Lee Ka-chiu (John Lee, 李家超) was elected with a vote of 99.16 percent of the 1,428 attending Election Committee members. China highly praised the election. The Council of the European Union and the G7 expressed their regret and their concerns. 

The CCP’s high praise of the election 

The official agents of China such as the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, Global Times, a media affiliated with the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and others so affiliated all praised the election highly.

This shows that “patriots governing Hong Kong, ” who are deeply bolstered by all sectors of Hong Kong society, and the democratic development of Hong Kong have turned a new page after the improvement of the electoral system, which is the embodiment of quality democracy with Hong Kong characteristics. 

The success of the sixth-term chief executive election has further implemented the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong.” It fully demonstrated the advantages of the new electoral system and proved the new system is a good one that follows the “one country, two systems” principle and suits Hong Kong’s reality.

In addition, Lee Ka-chiu was congratulated. Lee has served Hong Kong for more than 40 years. He is very familiar with Hong Kong. In fighting the violent demonstrations against the extradition bill (in 2019). He played a key supporting role in restoring order and rebuilding confidence. His election represents the vivid practice of “patriots governing Hong Kong.”  

Hong Kong has entered the era of “patriots ruling Hong Kong.”

Comments from the EU and the G7

The Council of the European Union issued a declaration on May 8 after the Hong Kong chief executive’s election. The declaration indicated that the number of voters for the Election Committee was substantially reduced by the electoral overhaul, weakening the already limited democratic elements in the governance of Hong Kong and running counter to the commitments to greater representation enshrined in the Basic Law.  

The EU regrets this violation of democratic principles and political pluralism and sees this selection process as yet another step in the dismantling of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. 

The EU calls on Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to abide by their national and international commitments, notably the ultimate aim of electing the Chief Executive and members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. 

On May 9, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement to underscore their “grave concern over the selection process for the Chief Executive in Hong Kong as part of a continued assault on political pluralism and fundamental freedoms.” 

The statement said, “Last year, the PRC and Hong Kong authorities moved away from the ultimate aim of universal suffrage as set out in Hong Kong’s Basic Law by increasing the number of non-elected members appointed to the Election Committee and dramatically curtailing the number of voters eligible to participate in the Committee elections.”

The current nomination process and resulting appointment are a stark departure from the aim of universal suffrage and further erode the ability of Hong Kongers to be represented legitimately. We are deeply concerned about this steady erosion of political and civil rights and Hong Kong’s autonomy.  

The CCP’s condemnation of the EU and theG7 

The CCP’s media, Xinhua and Global Times had some words on the Chinese Mission to the EU and the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, at a routine press conference on Monday, that the EU couldn’t wait and “jumped out” by pointing fingers at and smearing the process, which fully exposes its true intention of interfering in China’s internal affairs.    

Zhao noted that those politicians applauded fake democracy and the pan-democratic camp that allowed the rioting and violence to rage, but they are afraid of true democracy with the implementation of the principle of “only patriots administering Hong Kong,” “Such tactics of interference won’t work in today’s Hong Kong.”   

On May 10, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong  firmly rejected and strongly condemned the comments by the G7 and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 

That office indicated that their statement smeared Hong Kong’s sixth-term chief executive election and attacked the Chinese central government’s policies towards Hong Kong. The words used were irresponsible remarks that only exposed their hypocrisy and their true intention of interfering in China’s internal affairs and trying to destroy Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. The election is a successful practice of “only patriots administering Hong Kong,” and this can’t be defamed or smeared by any external forces. 

The rejection continued, saying that the ministers and the EU high representative have turned a blind eye to the structural flaws of their own democratic systems. They have wantonly attacked Hong Kong’s chief executive election and the Chinese government’s implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy, calling their statement, a serious violation of international law and the basic norms of international relations. 

The statement is full of arrogance and prejudice, ignoring the fact that the chief executive election was conducted in accordance with the law and that the result of the fair election is in line with the Hong Kong people’s aspirations.  

Behind the many problems that have emerged in Hong Kong in recent years, there is invariably the shadow of some US and Western hostile forces. The more chaotic Hong Kong becomes, the better it is in their interests.  They will continue to attempt to create problems in Hong Kong.  

“Patriots governing Hong Kong” will certainly make the U.S. and Western hostile forces as well as their proxy in Hong Kong desperate. Only when they are desperate, is there hope for Hong Kong. 

Sources:
1. Council of the EU, “Hong Kong: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the Chief Executive election held on 8 May,” 8 May 2022.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/05/08/hong-kong-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-chief-executive-election-held-on-8-may/.
2. Global Times, “Hong Kong CE-elect discusses tasks for transition, successful election plunges West into hysteria, fury,” May 9, 2022.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202205/1265177.shtml.
3. Global Times, “Huaqiu Commentary: G7 Played Another Farce,” May 9, 2022.
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/47wUl1GPIj4.
4. Global Times, “Commentary: Unity at Hong Kong Made Some Westerners Desparate,” May 9, 2022.
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/47vhQaooqNe.
5. Xinhua, “Liaison office of central gov’t slams G7 foreign ministers’ statement on HKSAR chief executive election,” May 10, 2022.
https://english.news.cn/20220510/1746b86eb7b74d09bdcd4c359637cc03/c.html.
6. U.S. Department of State, “G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Hong Kong Chief Executive Selection,” MAY 9, 2022.
https://www.state.gov/g7-foreign-ministers-statement-on-the-hong-kong-chief-executive-selection/.

Reports | | |   Government/Politics

Public Opinion: Law Profession Pointed Out: Two Government “Zero-COVID” Measures Violate the Law

Tong Zhiwei, a Professor of Constitutional Law, East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, published on social media that two of the government’s “Zero-COVID” measures are illegal. He said that he had consulted over 20 professors from his university, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, South China University of Technology, Wuhan University, Hubei University, and Peking University, before publishing the article.

The first government practice that he stated violated the law is to forcibly take residents to modular hospitals or other facilities for quarantine. That practice should be stopped right away. The authorities’ justification for the force-taking is the claim that Shanghai is in an emergency state. However, according to the Constitution, any organization or officials in Shanghai do not have the legal right to declare an emergency state for Shanghai.

The second illegal government practice is to force residents to hand in the keys to their homes so that the authorities can go inside to spray chemicals to kill the COVID virus. According to the law, citizen’s homes are inviolable. An illegal search or illegal intrusion into the homes of citizens is prohibited.

Source: Epoch Times, May 8, 2022
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/5/8/n13730561.htm

Hot Topics | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

Zero-Covid Policy – No Sign of Changing Course

As more cities in China brace for a possible lockdown, the Chinese Communist leadership shows no sign of changing the course of its zero-COVID policy.

On May 6, the CCP in Shanghai held a mobilization meeting to, “Resolutely Win the Great Shanghai Defense War.” The CCP Shanghai Secretary Li Qiang asked “military orders to be issued at every level.” Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng requested that every building, street and door must be checked in Pudong New District, Xuhui District, and Minhang District so that not one household is missed. The Mayor of Pudong New Area ordered that “even if one is smashed, he must complete the task.” Experts believe that this move was driven by political considerations and has no bearing on public health.

On May 7, CCP Shanghai Secretary Li Qiang inspected Jiading District. He reiterated the rhetoric. “The top priority is to reduce new cases and prevent rebound.” He called on people to “grit their teeth, stick it out, and resolutely win the battle of Shanghai’s defense.”

On the same day, the Xuhui District issued an emergency notice. From May 1 through 15, all residents must stay at home except for going out to have COVID testing. The community will stop accepting group purchases and express delivery. If a resident has placed an order, he must cancel or postpone the delivery time until after May 15. In addition, the authorities will suspend food distribution for those who do not participate in the COVID testing of them. The neighborhood committee will no longer issue exit permits to anyone to leave the community.

Earlier, a neighborhood committee in Pudong District issued a notice stating that it had received an order from above that if one has tested positive, all the residents on the entire floor would become “positive contacts” and “all the residents above and below the floor where the positive case occurs will be transferred and quarantined.”

Source: Epoch Times, May 8, 2022

https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/5/8/n13729974.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

CCP Urges All Units to Use Domestic Computers Uniformly

On May 5, 2022, the Epoch Times reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is implementing a “Safety and Reliability Alliance Program.” The authorities urged all government, state-owned enterprises and institutions to hand over all of their current computers and replace them with domestic computers and systems. The reason is to “prevent foreign forces from stealing China’s data.”

On May 4, some Chinese netizens posted that their working units were urged to turn in their old computers after May 1 and replace them with new computers and systems made in China. Since that system is not compatible with Windows software, a Windows emulator has to be installed. That will result in a 10-year regression in office efficiency.

A netizen from a city in western Henan Province responded that his city has already replaced their computers with all Hikvision computers, which cost more than 9,000 yuan (RMB, or $1,360) each. The new computers are very difficult to use and have very little software. In addition, the authorities require that all units in China finish the replacement within two years.

Hikvision is a Chinese video surveillance equipment manufacturer. The British Financial Times reported on May 4 that the United States is moving to impose sanctions on Hikvision. The U.S. accused it of facilitating the CCP’s internal crackdown.

Concerning the CCP’s authorities forcing enterprises and institutions to use domestic computers, some netizens said it might be related to the ” Safety and Reliability Alliance,” and is probably because of its fear of U.S. sanctions.

According to public information, the predecessor of the “Safety and Reliability Alliance” was the “Working Committee on Information Technology Application and Innovation,” which was established in 2016. On January 9, 2019, it was officially changed to the China Electronics Industry Standardization Technology Association — Safety and Reliability Working Committee, that includes 14 categories of members, with a total of 180 member units. It’s aim is to “nationalize and automatize control.”

The CCP is promoting the “Safety and Reliability Alliance” to prevent possible sanctions from the United States and Europe. The authorities require some special enterprises to realize “nationalized substitution” in 2022. In particular, all provincial governments, important municipal governments, the financial sector, and the military sector are gradually making replacements with nationalized facilities.

The “Safety and Reliability Alliance” is considered a trillion-dollar market that involves a huge industrial chain. It is expected that 40 million computers will be replaced domestically in China.

 

Source: Epoch Times, May 5, 2022.                                                                                                                                                                                           https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/22/5/4/n13727288.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Chair of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China: China’s Leadership Is Prisoner of Its Own Narrative

Joerg Wuttke, the President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, when talking to the media, recently stated, “They (China’s leadership) are prisoners of their own narrative … China was the first to get into the pandemic and it is the last to get out. In the meantime, they’ve been telling the whole world that they’re the best.”

Wuttke said the above words on April 27, 2022, during an in-depth interview with NZZ Mediengruppe, the German media The Market NZZ. “All over China, entrepreneurs look to Shanghai and have to deal with the scenario that the same thing could happen in their city. So, until further notice, they hit the pause button and froze almost all investment plans.”

“The stimulus measures (in China) are like a band-aid for an amputation. The People’s Bank of China pumps some liquidity into the system, money flows into infrastructure projects and state-owned enterprises receive support. However, that doesn’t get private companies and foreign corporations to invest again.” Wuttke predicted that China’s GDP growth will be below 4 percent this year.

On behalf of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Wuttke sent a letter to Hu Chunhua, the  Vice Premier of China, requesting a change in the official dynamic Zero-Covid policy, but he received no formal response.

He pointed out, “The president (Xi Jinping) has maneuvered himself into two dead ends at once. He can’t change his Covid policy, and he can’t change anything about his friendship with Vladimir Putin.”

“All signs indicate that the politicians do not want to solve the problem, but only to limit it. I don’t see any vaccination campaign, no information campaign, no imports of mRNA vaccines, and I don’t see the population being told that society can live with it. So I have to assume that Zero Covid will result in locking down this city and then that city on a monthly basis, at least until the Party Congress.”

“Perhaps there will be a rethink when the domestic economy hits rock bottom.  Perhaps they will realize in Beijing that they need foreign companies after all. Perhaps they will then open their doors wider again. However today, of course, we are not there yet.”

Source: The Market NZZ, April 27, 2022
https://themarkeZt.ch/Cinterview/chinas-leadership-is-prisoner-of-its-own-narrative-ld.6545

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Government: Shanghai Volunteers Found Someone Took Their Identifies and their Compensation

Recently, when people in Shanghai tried to register themselves as volunteers, they found their names had already been registered. Someone had taken their identities, completed the registration process, and collected the compensation meant for volunteers.

For example, a woman found from the official volunteer website that she did 26 hours of volunteer work in 2017, but she was pregnant at that time and never did that work. An elementary student found she “was registered” in November 2019 when she was seven; a son found that his aging father did 16 hours of volunteer work in 2018 though his father had been sick and had mobility problems.

There were also many fake volunteer identities and fake incidents of participation in work during the COVID lockdown. A man reported to the authorities that he found out that he “was registered” as a volunteer in two groups. One was with the Huangpu District Yuyuan Street Neighborhood Volunteer Service Center, which pays each volunteer at least 50 Yuan (US $7.5) for each event. He had never received any money. Another man said volunteers in his neighborhood receive 120 Yuan each day and some other regions are even paid 400 Yuan.

On March 3, Xinhua reported that 5.2 million people in Shanghai, or over 21 percent of the permanent population there, had registered volunteer accounts.

Editor’s note: Obviously in Shanghai, someone has stolen people’s identities to register volunteer accounts and then collected money based on their fake registration. Since this involves repeated payment distributions from the government, it is unlikely that the authorities knew nothing about it.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, April 27, 2022
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/4/27/n13721701.htm
2. Xinhua, March 3, 2022
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-03/03/c_139781116.htm

Hot Topics | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

Government: Beijing Plans to Keep the “Zero-COVID” Policy Until the 20th Party Congress

Two sources indicate that Beijing plans to continue its “Zero-COVID” policy and not switch to the coexistence approach at least until after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) holds its 20th National Congress later this year. The “Zero-COVID” policy has created mounting humanitarian crises in China, especially during the ongoing Shanghai lockdown.

Joerg Wuttke, President of the E.U. Chamber of Commerce in China, said during an interview with the Swiss, German-language daily newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), “(I)n closed meetings – especially in ministries that deal with the economy and businesses – I meet very well-informed and open-minded top politicians. They know what Zero Covid means for the economy. It’s just that they can’t use this knowledge to bring about policy change at the moment. Until the 20th Party Congress, which will take place later this year, they will stick to the Zero Covid policy. President Xi wants to be confirmed for a third term, so he cannot change his narrative this close to the finish line. The president has maneuvered himself into two dead ends at once: He can’t change his Covid policy, and he can’t change anything about his friendship with Vladimir Putin.”

A news commentator from Epoch Times stated that he had received the meeting minutes of an official COVID information meeting on April 25. The keynote speaker was Jiang Rongmeng, a member of the National Health Commission’s COVID Expert Group and Vice President of Beijing Ditan Hospital. Jiang is a real medical expert in the CCP inner cycle: he went to Wuhan during the lockdown, is an expert in the Beijing Emergency Management Bureau, and is one of the main authors of the “COVID Treatment Plan.”

Jiang listed five pre-conditions for China to change its Zero-COVID policy:

  1. Medicines need to be available, which won’t be ready within six months.
  2. 80 percent of the elderly are vaccinated, which is possible to achieve in six months.
  3. There are enough isolation beds, which is easy to do.
  4. There is enough ICU capacity [throughout China], which is unlikely to happen. China lags far behind the United States and Europe on this and it is impossible to catch up in a short term. It is easy to buy equipment but it takes 5 years to train an ICU doctor.
  5. Public opinion needs to be reset. Now people are scared of COVID and many will go to the hospital even if they have a low temperature when switching to the coexistence policy, which will deplete the hospital’s capacity.

These conditions indicates that Jiang does not think China is ready to change its COVID policy in the next six months due to its own situation.

Related postings on Chinascope:

Sources:
1. NZZ, April 30, 2022
https://themarket.ch/interview/chinas-leadership-is-prisoner-of-its-own-narrative-ld.6545
2. Epoch Times, April 27, 2022
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/4/27/n13722036.htm

Hot Topics | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability