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Written by: comment editing room
2020-11-11 17:00
Last update date: 2020-11-11 17:00
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed a decision on Wednesday (November 11), stipulating that members of the Legislative Council would be disqualified under five conditions. Subsequently, the SAR government announced "DQ" Yang Yueqiao, Guo Rongkeng, Guo Jiaqi and Liang Jichang.
The extraordinary measures of the authorities will certainly make political conflicts more prominent, but democrats should also understand that in Hong Kong, politics must be under the framework of "one country, two systems", and staying in the Legislative Council is bound to be better.
Members of the Legislative Council are elected by the people and act as representatives to supervise the administration of the government. Moreover, political participation is one of the citizens' basic rights. Of course, they cannot be disqualified arbitrarily.
In fact, this decision also clearly stipulates that members of the Legislative Council will be disqualified under five conditions, including promoting or supporting "Hong Kong independence" claims, refusing to recognize the state's ownership and exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and seeking foreign or foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong. Special administrative region affairs, or other acts endangering national security, do not meet the statutory requirements and conditions for upholding the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and loyal to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
In fact, if the above five situations are involved, the Returning Officer will also be disqualified when running for the election.
Therefore, although this decision may come out suddenly, it was originally developed along the existing political red line.
Especially after the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the central government has clearly drawn its unacceptable bottom line. Those who are interested in political affairs in Hong Kong, including democrats, should have known their limits.
If they adhere to the "one country, two systems" framework, that is, recognize national sovereignty and not support "Hong Kong independence" propositions, politicians will not have to worry about losing their qualifications.
This time, proposed by the Chief Executive, moved by the State Council, and passed a decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the direct effect of the disqualification of the four pro-democracy members by the SAR government is an extraordinary method that will inevitably cause political shock.
Coupled with the earlier national security law in the port area, it can even be said to be a very strict measure.
But having said that, the political situation in Hong Kong in recent years is by no means normal.
The Legislative Council was once paralyzed by parliamentarians, political struggles intensified, and the relationship between the executive and the legislature deteriorated to the point that it was difficult to govern.
Of course, the political chaos is largely due to the lack of governance by the Lam Cheng government, but if Members get lost in the political struggle, it will only make matters worse and bring Hong Kong into a dead end.
This time a heavy stick is a situation that no one wants to see, but a heavy stick is by no means the end of the world. Democrats should recognize the boundaries and do something and not do something.
Leaving the parliament is a relatively simple decision, but how to serve the people and promote changes in Hong Kong after leaving is a question that no one can answer.
It takes more courage to stay, and it tests the wisdom of the democrats.
In the future, how to fight for more for the citizens under the framework of "one country, two systems" and move towards a more ideal society is undoubtedly an extremely difficult challenge.
In the process, apart from wrestling with the government and the establishment, it also had to endure the cynicism from the local factions.
But politics has never been a smooth path. The question is who is willing to rise to the difficulties of society and shoulder this thankless responsibility?
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