20/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – G7 Foreign Ministers reiterated their “grave concern” about democratic weaknesses in Hong Kong’s electoral system in a joint statement on Monday 20 December (see EUROPE 12678/29). Changes to the system, including the reduction in the number of directly elected officials and the establishment of a veto procedure that severely restricts the choice of candidates, undermine the autonomy Hong Kong should enjoy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, they say. They call on China to respect fundamental rights in Hong Kong and to stop oppressing democratic values in Hong Kong. On Sunday 19 December, the Hong Kong Legislative Council was renewed in an election marked by a very high abstention rate and where only patriots loyal to China were able to stand. (MB)