STATEMENT: Beijing appoints new puppet John Lee as the next Chief Executive in Hong Kong on May 8th.
Monday 9th May – John Lee has been “elected” as Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive after receiving over 99% of the vote in the rubber-stamp election. The sole “candidate” was voted for by a patriots-only committee of 1,461 people, in a city with a population of 7.5 million.
The former police officer is likely to continue to crack down on freedoms and democracy in Hong Kong. In a recent question-and-answer session with state-owned media, Lee stated that there is no need to “defend” press freedom in the city “because it exists.” John Lee was instrumental in the shutting down of pro-democracy outlet Apple Daily, which led to the arrest of the company’s journalists and executives, seven of whom today remain unjustly imprisoned - actions which give the lie to his statement on press freedoms existing in Hong Kong.
Lee is a firm supporter of the 2020 National Security Law and has indicated that he will introduce additional national security legislation. Lee told the United Nations Human Rights Council in March that the National Security Law has “restored peace” and decried the 2019 protests as “evil” and lauded “the improved electoral system.”
Human rights activist and former local lawmaker, Nathan Law, said in an interview with American media outlet CNN that John Lee’s appointment “signals (authorities) are intensifying that heavy-handed approach to Hong Kong and putting the so-called national security as their policy for governing the city.”
CFHK President, Mark L Clifford, said:
“Hong Kong’s opposition was locked up under John Lee, paving the way for him to become Chief Executive, unopposed. The appointment of John Lee reaffirms Beijing’s view that you can lock up anyone who opposes your way of thinking.
“Lee has been put in place by Beijing in order to carry out Xi Jinping’s wants and asks, with further deterioration in the city’s human rights and democracy likely. With a former police chief now in charge, the future for Hong Kong could be as a police state.
“The G7 foreign ministers have criticised Lee’s appointment, calling on China to act in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which promised freedoms and autonomy for Hong Kong. Beijing and Lee insist they are adhering to the agreement; however, the rest of the world see the erosion of freedoms for what it is – China taking over and controlling Hong Kong.”
The former police officer is likely to continue to crack down on freedoms and democracy in Hong Kong. In a recent question-and-answer session with state-owned media, Lee stated that there is no need to “defend” press freedom in the city “because it exists.” John Lee was instrumental in the shutting down of pro-democracy outlet Apple Daily, which led to the arrest of the company’s journalists and executives, seven of whom today remain unjustly imprisoned - actions which give the lie to his statement on press freedoms existing in Hong Kong.
Lee is a firm supporter of the 2020 National Security Law and has indicated that he will introduce additional national security legislation. Lee told the United Nations Human Rights Council in March that the National Security Law has “restored peace” and decried the 2019 protests as “evil” and lauded “the improved electoral system.”
Human rights activist and former local lawmaker, Nathan Law, said in an interview with American media outlet CNN that John Lee’s appointment “signals (authorities) are intensifying that heavy-handed approach to Hong Kong and putting the so-called national security as their policy for governing the city.”
CFHK President, Mark L Clifford, said:
“Hong Kong’s opposition was locked up under John Lee, paving the way for him to become Chief Executive, unopposed. The appointment of John Lee reaffirms Beijing’s view that you can lock up anyone who opposes your way of thinking.
“Lee has been put in place by Beijing in order to carry out Xi Jinping’s wants and asks, with further deterioration in the city’s human rights and democracy likely. With a former police chief now in charge, the future for Hong Kong could be as a police state.
“The G7 foreign ministers have criticised Lee’s appointment, calling on China to act in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which promised freedoms and autonomy for Hong Kong. Beijing and Lee insist they are adhering to the agreement; however, the rest of the world see the erosion of freedoms for what it is – China taking over and controlling Hong Kong.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk