'Electoral Overhaul Kills One Country, Two Systems'

Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou said on Friday that Beijing’s latest decision to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system spells the death of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.

Speaking to reporters while attending a memorial to mark the 96th anniversary of the death of the founder of modern China and the Kuomintang, Sun Yat-sen, Ma said it is “extremely regrettable” that ‘One Country, Two Systems’ – the brainchild of former mainland leader Deng Xiaoping – has officially become history.

The Hong Kong-born Taiwan politician said Beijing’s decision to impose sweeping changes to the SAR’s political system is no different from officially proclaiming the death of the two systems principle.

KMT chairman Johnny Chiang, meanwhile, said Beijing can only win the hearts and minds of Hong Kong people by giving them democracy and freedoms.

On Thursday, a spokesman for Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, Chiu Chui-cheng said the overhaul means Beijing has now taken over direct political control of Hong Kong, despite its promises that the city would maintain "a high degree of autonomy".

"The relevant authorities have deviated from the promise of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy," Chiu told a news briefing. "They have harmed the right of Hong Kong people to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law."

"The rest of the world finds this unacceptable."