China Won’t Compromise on Hong Kong Election, U.S. Lawmaker Says
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China’s firm stand leaves the Hong Kong government with “no room for compromise” on a proposal that requires a committee of insiders to vet candidates for the city’s first leadership election, a visiting U.S. lawmaker said.
U.S. Representative Matt Salmon, who led a fact-finding delegation to Hong Kong this week, said changes to the election bill submitted by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying last month are unlikely. The proposal would require candidates to secure majority support from a China-controlled nominating panel before a popular vote in 2017, a condition that sparked last year’s pro-democracy protests.