Now that only “patriots” (CCP drones) may run for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, which has been true for several years now—nobody in favor of democracy is allowed to stand for office anymore—the average Hong Kong lawmaker already talks as if he’s been coughed up by the mainland.
Nevertheless, “All Hong Kong Lawmakers to Train in Beijing in First Since Handover…Move Seen as Completing ‘Patriots Governing Hong Kong’ Framework.” Xinhua News Agency and the president of the Hong Kong Legislative Council have reported that “all council members will participate in national affairs training and inspections in Beijing from July 19 to 25.”
The development is as dreary as it sounds (Seoul Economic Daily, May 23, 2026).
“This is the first time since the handover that all lawmakers will conduct training and inspections in Beijing, which carries great historical significance,” the council president said. “During the Beijing training, Hong Kong lawmakers will visit key institutions including the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, and attend expert lectures and meetings.”
Lecture topics will include the Chinese leadership’s governing philosophy and national development strategy, the formulation process of national five-year plans, international affairs and geopolitical structure, national security, and the building of a digital China….
“Through this opportunity, Legislative Council members will gain understanding of the National People’s Congress’s legislative process and law enforcement oversight work, as well as the Chinese Communist Party’s development process and grassroots governance experience,” the council president said. “This training will help align the Hong Kong government’s first ‘Hong Kong Five-Year Plan’ with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan [2026-2030].”
It’s all very clear, except…what can the Chinese Communist Party mean by “grassroots” governance? We saw the grass roots in Hong Kong during the mass protests of 2019, and earlier; and the Party has trampled all of that.
