Beijing has warned pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong that anyone striving for independence or a deviation from socialist values “will not have a political future”.
Li Fei, secretary-general of the body that sits at the top of China’s parliament, issued the warning after Beijing announced that it, and not Hong Kong islanders, would choose the candidates for the 2017 election of chief executive of the former British colony.
Members of the legislative council and protesters heckled, waved anti-Beijing placards and were eventually removed from the hall where Mr Li was speaking. Despite the dissent, he did not shy away from underlining Beijing’s resistance to loosening its grip. Anyone who aspired to “Hong Kong becoming an independent political entity or [to] change the socialist system will not have a political future”, he said.
He was met with chants of: “The central government broke its promise. Shameless.” Protesters were escorted out. Demonstrators tried to force their way into the hall, with police using pepper spray on at least four of them. There was also a brief clash between pro-Beijing and pro-democracy supporters.
Mr Li was addressing Hong Kong officials following Sunday’s announcement about the format of the 2017 chief executive election. The holder of the post is effectively prime minister of the island. Hopes of a democratic election were crushed, with Beijing insisting that candidates would need to be approved by at least half of a largely pro-party committee.
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The protests took place the day after activists in Hong Kong declared an “era of civil disobedience”. The protest group Occupy Central, which organised a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on July 1 attended by about 500,000 people, has promised to occupy the financial district soon in response to Beijing’s stubbornness.
Benny Tai Yui-ting, its leader, speaking to thousands of supporters at a rally on Sunday, promised “wave after wave” of protest. The group said its occupation would take place within weeks.
Lee Cheuk-yan, a Labour party politician , said that there would be a “full-scale fight” against Beijing’s decision, with other members of the legislative council saying they would attempt to veto it.
Another protest, organised by students, is to take place this month outside government buildings in Hong Kong’s Admiral area.
Alex Chow, head of the Federation of Students and one of the protesters removed from the hall yesterday, said that 11 colleges would be represented at the protest. “If we go out on the street,[Beijing] can either crack down on us or change its proposal to give us real democracy,” he said.