News Snapshot:
Beijing’s drastic overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system would neither produce any “meaningful democratic results” nor represent the inclusive and credible will of Hongkongers, the United States’ top envoy to the city said on Thursday. But US Consul General Hanscom Smith stopped short of indicating whether Washington would consider slapping more drastic sanctions on Chinese officials in retaliation for the changes, only saying it would evaluate all of its available options. “The recent changes … rubber-stamped by the National People’s Congress will reshape Hong Kong’s electoral landscape even more dramatically, packing [the Legislative Council ] and the committee that selects...
