Chinese MPs decide to tighten control over Hong Kong

China’s formal legislature plans to support the Communist Party’s latest move to reduce control over Hong Kong by reducing its public’s role in electing the region’s leaders.

This measure enhances action against a protest movement, calling for greater democracy in Hong Kong. The crack has prompted complaints that Beijing was promising autonomy when it returned to China in 1997 and has hurt its position as a global financial center.

The National People’s Congress, which was due to conclude its annual meeting on Thursday, will support reforms in Hong Kong’s electoral system, the body’s standing committee said.

The plan would give a Beijing supporter committee the power to appoint Hong Kong lawmakers, reducing the number chosen by the public. The NPC was also due to the ruling party’s support of the latest five-year development blueprint.

It calls for furthering efforts to transform China into a more self-sufficient technology manufacturer – a move that is at risk of deteriorating with Washington and Europe over trade and market access.

The legislature has no real power but the ruling party uses its annual meeting, the highest profile political event of the year, to demonstrate economic and political plans.

Its nearly 3,000 delegates have been elected by the party, not about the decisions made by the Chinese public and regular party leaders. The symbolic vote of support by the NPC is an issue that is a party’s priority.

Hong Kong National Security Law: Five Key Facts You Need to Know

Last year, the party used the NPC session to enforce national security legislation on Hong Kong. Under that law, 47 former legislators and other pro-democracy personalities have been arrested on charges of sabotage which carry the maximum possible penalty of life in prison.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi defended the latest proposed changes in Hong Kong to protect his autonomy and “transition from anarchy to governance”.