Letters | National security law for Hong Kong means no ‘middle path’ for this Legislative Council election

The Legislative Council election is only two months away, and the stakes are higher than ever. The national security law passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress shows the traditional freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong are now at Beijing’s mercy. More importantly, it indicates Beijing’s bona fide intention to negotiate with the people of Hong Kong has collapsed.

The last Legco election came after Occupy Central, with no lack of candidates running on platforms of pursuing the “middle path” so as to seek reconciliation with Beijing, though their success was limited. Former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah ran for chief executive on a platform of reconciliation and received popular support, but was rejected by the Election Committee.

Instead of reconciliation, the past four years have shown how appeasement invites oppression and erosion of Hong Kong’s checks and balances. The democratic half of the legislature has been castrated by disqualification of candidates and elected members. The judiciary is hampered from performing its duty by a Department of Justice that allegedly politicises criminal prosecution and appeal decisions. North of Hong Kong, Beijing’s conventional checks and balances on inner-party schisms have been obliterated since Xi Jinping came to power.

The international community’s monitoring of “one country, two systems” is Hong Kong’s last line of defence. The only way to deter Beijing from steamrollering over Hong Kong’s unique way of life is for the international community to name and shame Beijing, reinforced by concrete measures to help the people of Hong Kong, such as granting them the right of abode in the West.

Beijing and the pro-establishment camp have branded Hongkongers’ appeal for international assistance as begging for foreign intervention. What they fail to mention is that there are no other means to counteract Beijing’s unilateral imposition of its will on the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong.