Democrats voice fear for the future

The latest changes "demolish" the electoral system and harm the SAR's development as they reflect Beijing's distrust of Hong Kong voters, Democrats claim.

The Democratic Party also said the legislature can no longer represent the people as it will be shaped largely by the executive due to a vetting of candidates.

Party chairman Lo Kin-hei said the changes would not bring any good to the SAR.

"The proportion of those legislative councillors who are directly elected by Hong Kong people is much less," Lo said at a briefing.

Hong Kong was back to 1997, he said, as election reforms over the past 24 years are gone.

Lo also sees more problems in store as the legislature will no longer represent what Hongkongers think and believe.

And he took issue with candidates being vetted by police and administration officials.

That police "will have a strong say in whether or not a person can run in elections," Lo said, is "extremely strange and inappropriate."

Lo said Democratic Party members have not decided whether they will run in elections, though he still believed elections are the best way to reflect people's views.

Former party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said democracy is being set back.

The changes, she said, "will make many people believe freedom, personal safety and the rule of law in Hong Kong will disappear soon as no one representing citizens' opinions can be elected."

Lau said the changes reflected Beijing's distrust of Hong Kong voters and its own idea about patriots.

"Many people have concerns about Beijing's decision," she added. "They do not believe the new electoral system can solve deep-rooted problems in Hong Kong and are worried the changes might spark new confrontations."

But Tik Chi-yuen, chairman of the moderate Third Side, said he and party members still believe Beijing will want to hear different voices in the legislature.

"The electoral changes have indeed restricted the political participation of Hong Kong citizens, which is not an ideal development from the point of view of the democratic process," Tik said.

"But we believe the central government will not want the legislature to reflect the same opinion. There should be various voices in the legislature, including those opposed to policies."

Tik also hoped members of the Election Committee will go about the process with open minds and accept and nominate people with different political views as long as they support the one country, two systems principle.

As expected, members of the establishment camp expressed support for the electoral changes, saying the point was to benefit the SAR rather than help some people secure seats for themselves.

Executive councillor and New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said she was grateful the central government had carried out a "major operation" for Hong Kong to reform its legislature, which could help bring in talent from different sectors.

Executive Council convener Bernard Chan Charnwut said it was normal to let election hopefuls be vetted because it could ensure candidates cannot endanger national security.

Chan also believes legislators will put SAR benefits ahead of personal interests.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com