Allies voice grave concerns about ‘erosion of democratic elements’ after overhaul of electoral system
The Australian foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, joined with her counterparts from the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand to say Sunday’s vote had reversed the trend of candidates with diverse political views having contested elections in Hong Kong.
“Actions that undermine Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms and high degree of autonomy are threatening our shared wish to see Hong Kong succeed,” said the joint statement, which was issued late on Monday. The Chinese embassy in Canberra said the new members of Hong Kong’s legislative council had been “elected smoothly” and it was a “crucial” moment in “the transition period of Hong Kong from chaos to stability and prosperity”.Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning
The embassy spokesperson added that “all attempts by certain countries to meddle” in China’s internal affairs were “futile and doomed to fail”. The Australian government’s calls for an independent international investigation into the origins and handling of Covid-19 emerged as another flashpoint last year, with Beijing introducing a freeze on ministerial talks.tariffs and other trade actions
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