Hong Kong: China limits parliament to 'patriots'
China has passed sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral rules which can tighten its control over the town .
The number of directly elected seats in parliament has been cut almost by half, and prospective MPs will first be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee to make sure their loyalty to the mainland.
The aim is to make sure only "patriotic" figures can run positions of power.
Critics warn it'll mean the top of democracy, fearing it'll remove all opposition from the town parliament.
But Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, said there's not a "one-size-fits-all" way of doing democracy, adding the vetting committee won't screen people out supported their politics , but rather comb out any "non-patriots".
Mrs Lam said as long because the candidates can show allegiance to Hong Kong , uphold the essential Law and pass national security checks, they're going to be permitted to run election.
"For people that hold different politics , who are more inclined towards more democracy, or who are more conservative, who belong to the left or belong to the proper , as long as they meet this very fundamental and basic requirement, i do not see why they might not run election," she said on Tuesday.
The first vote under the changes, which can elect members to Hong Kong's legislature (LegCo), are going to be held in December.
On Tuesday, Chinese state media reported that the country's top decision-making body, the NPC committee , voted unanimously to pass it. This amends the annexes of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the essential Law.
Opposition figures say the changes are designed to stay anyone who isn't aligned with Beijing's rule out of parliament.
"This whole new system is basically degrading and really oppressive," Emily Lau, a pro-democracy former lawmaker told AFP, adding that she thought political unrest could explode on Hong Kong's streets again.
"If you've got numerous people that are very unhappy inside, all you would like may be a little trigger which would spark tons of individuals ."
"Giving a police the facility to oversee who can represent elections isn't seen in systems usually deemed democratic during a meaningful sense," said Chong Ja Ian, an professor of politics at the National University of Singapore.
Future uncertain for pro-democracy campaigners
By Jeff Li, BBC Chinese, Hong Kong
Hong Kong has seen this alteration coming for a few time.
Ever since China's top legislature decided within the middle of March to reform the city's voting system , rumours are going around about what the reforms will appear as if .
And the pro-democracy camp finds none of them to its liking.
As the reforms became reality, pro-Beijing supporters celebrated. But the mood is extremely different on the opposite side, because the pro-democrats face an uncertain political future despite their popular support among voters.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam says Beijing isn't ruling out pro-democracy candidates, which a number of them "are also patriots".
But the top of Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party wasn't so sure. When asked whether his party would consider running under the reformed electoral process, Lo Kin-hei stopped in need of giving an immediate answer - and only called on the city's residents to "strive on and keep faith".
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