Beijing-imposed Hong Kong regime said it would pursue perceived media offenses.

 

Hong Kong Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang took exception to an editorial the WSJ ran last week titled: “Hong Kong Says Vote — or Else.”

The editorial previewed the territory’s legislative election on Sunday next week that reduces Hong Kong’s already limited democratic opportunities.

Boycotts and blank ballots are one of the last ways for Hong Kongers to express their political views, the WSJ editorial said.

In his letter, Tsang said he was “shocked” to read that sentence and warned that Hong Kong banned “inciting another person not to vote, or to cast an invalid vote.”

We reserve the right to take necessary action, Tsang said, adding that the government would pursue perceived offenses irrespective whether the incitement is made in Hong Kong or abroad.

Under a new legislative election system imposed by Beijing, only pre-vetted candidates can stand for office. Twenty of the 90 legislative seats up for grabs are directly elected — down from half.

Most of Hong Kong’s democracy campaigners are either in jail, have fled overseas, been barred from standing or have declined to take part in the polls.