A senior Hong Kong lawmaker was expelled from a prestigious Chinese government body yesterday, in a sign that Beijing will not tolerate dissent from loyalists over pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous territory.
James Tien (田北俊) had his “qualifications revoked” as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state-run China News Service said.
The prominent businessman and politician had criticized Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (梁振英) for failing to put an end to more than a month of pro-democracy protests — an unusual move for a pro-Beijing lawmaker.
Photo: EPA
The CPPCC voted to pass the “decision on revoking Tian Beijun’s membership in the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,” the government body said, using Tien’s name in Mandarin and without providing further details.
In a brief statement after the decision, Tien said he accepted the CPPCC ruling and that he would resign as leader of the Liberal Party.
“I just remembered I am a lawmaker in Hong Kong, neglecting my role as a CPPCC member. Maybe that was inappropriate,” Tien said of his comments about Leung.
Hong Kong demonstrators have staged street rallies for more than a month, calling for free leadership elections for the former British colony in 2017.
The demonstrations present the most concerted challenge to Beijing’s authority since the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
James Tien’s younger brother, Michael (田北辰), another Hong Kong lawmaker, said ahead of the announcement that his brother was being punished for perceived disloyalty to Leung.
“The decision is definitely based on my brother’s comments about C.Y. [Leung],” Michael Tien said.
James Tien is a senior member of the territory’s pro-business Liberal Party. He said last week that Leung should consider resigning for failing to clear the protesters from the streets.
“Residents are ignoring court injunctions and pan-democrats are being uncooperative. How is he going to govern?” James Tien asked on Friday last week, according to the South China Morning Post.
Despite hailing from Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing camp, the 67-year-old politician is no stranger to ruffling political feathers. In 2003, he withdrew his party’s support for a government-backed national security bill amid large street protests, leading to the legislation’s collapse and the eventual resignation of then-Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華).
He backed Leung’s opponent Henry Tang (唐英年) in the 2012 race to be the territory’s chief executive.
Leung’s popularity has taken a nosedive since the protests began last month. A poll this week by the Chinese University of Hong Kong showed he now has a 38.6 percent voter approval rating — his lowest since taking office.
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