BEIJING – China’s parliament said on Thursday that its decision on Hong Kong electoral reforms issued in 2014stands in spite of Hong Kong’s legislature vetoing the China-vetted electoral reform package, local media reports have said.
Earlier, Hong Kong’s legislature on Thursday vetoed China-vetted electoral reform package criticized by opposition pro-democracy lawmakers and activists as undemocratic.
The parliamentary decision eased, for now, the prospect of fresh mass protests in the financial hub.
Meanwhile, China on Thursday said it would welcome only an anti-independence candidate at Taiwan’s presidential election in January, offering its first comment on the likely contender for the island’s pro-China ruling Nationalist Party.
Taiwan is one of the most sensitive of all policy issues for China.
The vote in self-ruled Taiwan is shaping as a contest between two women, deputy parliamentary speaker, Hung Hsiu-chu from the Nationalists and the pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate, Tsai Ing-wen.
On Wednesday, Hung moved a step closer to securing Nationalists’ nomination, after top party officials approved her bid.
In a brief statement carried by local media, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman, Ma Xiaoguang said he had “noted” the news about Hung.
He however added: “We do not get involved in, or comment on the Taiwan election.
“We welcome any Taiwan party or person as long as they oppose Taiwan independence, recognize the 1992 consensus and promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.”
The `1992 consensus’ refers to Beijing’s cherished “one China” principle that includes Taiwan as part of China.
Hung advocates a more pro-China policy and has publicly said she would like to sign a peace treaty with China.
China has repeatedly criticised Tsai in recent weeks, saying she needs to clearly explain her policy towards China and how she intends to keep peace between the two sides.
Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a civil war with the Communists that has never formally ended.
The Nationalists had not been able to nail down a candidate for months, as Tsai raced to a big lead in opinion polls.
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Since 2008, Taiwan’s pro-China President, Ma Ying-jeou, has signed a series of landmark trade and economic pacts with China. (Reuters/NAN)
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