China lays down law in Hong Kong

China took control of Hong Kong’s political process today, saying the territory cannot change the way it picks its leaders without approval from Beijing.

Hong Kong activists immediately decried the decision.

The Chinese government’s National People’s Congress issued the ruling in an interpretation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.

“The right to amend the law belongs to the National People’s Congress,” said Qiao Xiaoyang, deputy secretary-general of the NPC’s Standing Committee.

He added: “All powers of the locality derive from the authorisation of the central authorities.”

Officials said the committee’s interpretation was necessary given the wide range of opinions about the Basic Law and its use – and asserted that the decision benefited the territory.

The announcements effectively tie the hands of the Hong Kong government by allowing only Beijing to ultimately approve reforms – control that democracy activists have vehemently lobbied against.

Law Yuk-kai, director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, a private group, said: “The Hong Kong people have been robbed of their rights.”

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing said it was “unclear” about the ruling.