Pompeo slams Hong Kong poll delay, says China feared CCP 'candidates would be crushed'

Criticising move to postpone Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong by a year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that “freedom-loving people of Hong Kong would prevail.” He also stated that only reason for poll delay is Beijing's fear that Chinese Communist Party candidates would be crushed.

Pompeo urged government to reconsider ir decision. He also stated that COVID-19 is t reason for delay in election. actual reason for postponement is that Chinese Communist Party candidates would be crushed. He furr ded that freedom-loving people of Hong Kong would prevail, and leership in Beijing can't permit that to happen.

Reportedly, Chief Executive Carrie Lam anunced delay on July 31, citing an upsurge in Covid-19 cases. Pompeo on August 2 urged Hong Kong to reconsider decision to postpone its elections, stating that delay would be ar setback to its automy from Beijing. Lam invoked her emergency powers to reschedule elections scheduled for September 6, until September 5, 2021.

"We urge Hong Kong authorities to reconsider ir decision. If y aren't, n regrettably Hong Kong will continue its march toward becoming just ar Communist-run city in China,” he said of delay, in a statement released on August 2,” Pompeo ded.

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Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers also condemn poll delay

Apart from Pompeo, Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers have also condemned poll delay as a political move. As a result of domination in district council elections last vember, pro-democracy candidates are believed to secure a majority in 70-seat legislature.

Before poll delay was anunced, election officials barred 12 opposition candidates from running, in a few case owing to m previously supporting US sanctions on Hong Kong, which can w be considered as an offence under national security law recently imposed by China.  

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Pompeo h earlier also called out move to postpone Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong. Pompeo h stated that elections should be held as close to September 6 as possible and in a way that reflects aspirations of people of Hong Kong.

(Im credit: AP)