The Epoch Times Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has joined Five Eyes partners in expressing grave concern over the “erosion of democratic elements” in recent elections in Hong Kong that delivered a major victory to pro-Beijing candidates.
“Since handover, candidates with diverse political views have contested elections in Hong Kong. Yesterday’s election has reversed this trend,” according to a joint statement from the five foreign ministers and leaders.
“The overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system introduced earlier this year reduced the number of directly elected seats and established a new vetting process to severely restrict the choice of candidates on the ballot paper,” he added…
