G7, EU voice ‘grave concern’ at new HK leader

LONDON, May 09 (AFP): G7 foreign ministers on Monday voiced misgivings about how Hong Kong's new leader was chosen, accusing the Chinese territory of flouting democratic convention.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States joined the EU in putting on record their "grave concern over the selection process", in which a coterie of Beijing loyalists appointed John Lee.
Lee, 64, is a former security chief who oversaw the crackdown on Hong Kong's democracy movement and was the only candidate to succeed outgoing leader Carrie Lam.
The G7 foreign ministers said the selection process by secret ballot was "part of a continued assault on political pluralism and fundamental freedoms".
They accused the Hong Kong authorities and China of boosting the number of non-elected members to the election committee and "drastically" cutting eligible voters from the process.
"The current nomination process and resulting appointment are a stark departure from the aim of universal suffrage and further erode the ability of Hong Kongers to be legitimately represented," they added.