Hong Kong Says Vote—or Else By The Editorial Board, 11/29/21, Wall St. Journal
We bring you this message from Hong Kong because China’s Communist Party wants the world to forget how it crushed the autonomy it promised to the territory. On Monday authorities issued arrest warrants for two pro-democracy exiles who used social media to recommend that Hong Kongers boycott sham legislative elections scheduled for December.
Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui urged Hong Kongers to protest by casting blank ballots, & former district councillor Yau Man-chun encouraged a boycott. Both now face multiple charges for “engaging [in] illegal conduct of inciting another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period,” authorities said Monday. The penalty is up to 3 years in prison.
Messrs. Hui & Yau fled abroad amid Beijing’s crackdown, but they could be arrested if they travel to the wrong country. This is one way China is trying to enforce its political crackdown even overseas. At least 3 other Hong Kongers have been arrested on similar charges. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said this month said that anyone inciting electoral boycotts or protest votes may also be in violation of the national security law.
During the Nov 2019 district council elections, Hong Kongers humiliated China by voting in record numbers to elect pro- democracy candidates. The govt responded by postponing the Legislative Council elections, originally scheduled for Sept 2020.
Beijing has since imposed new electoral rules that require all candidates to receive pre-approval from the Communist Party & swear an oath of fealty. The South China Morning Postreported last week that only 3 of the 153 Legislative Council candidates identify as pro-democracy. Meanwhile, dozens of Hong Kong’s opposition leaders have been arrested, disqualified from holding office, or driven into exile.
Hong Kongers risk harsh penalties if they protest in public. The police have announced plans to put some
10,000 officers on patrol on election day. Boycotts & blank ballots are one of the last ways for Hong Kongers to express their political views. The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Inst. surveyed residents this month & found only 52% planned to vote next month. No wonder the Communist Party fears another embarrassment.