China’s legislature on Thursday passed a resolution called “patriots who rule Hong Kong” in a move to review the city’s elections.
Why does it matter: The move effectively gives the Chinese Communist Party control over elections in the Asian financial center, reducing democratic representation and allowing a “pro-Beijing panel to examine ‘patriotic’ candidates,” notes the BBC.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress on Wednesday that the Biden government “would speak up and take action against the flagrant violations of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong”.
- Blinken promised to “comply with the sanctions” against “those responsible for committing repressive acts” in the former British colony.
By the numbers: Legislators in Beijing voted 2,895 to zero in favor of the Hong Kong resolution, with one abstention.
What to watch: President Biden is meeting with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India at a virtual summit of the so-called “Quad” on Friday, as part of efforts to stem China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will meet with two senior Chinese officials next week in Anchorage, Alaska, at the first personal meeting between senior US and Chinese officials since Biden took office.
Go deeper: Cyber, human rights must reach the top of the US-China summit
Editor’s note: this article has been updated with new details.