China’s President Xi Jinping has finalised plans to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure its pro-democracy leaders cannot control its administration. Earlier this month, China’s powers-that-be approved plans to ban ‘non-patriots’ from holding office. And yesterday, Xi gave the green light to set up a committee of officials loyal to China’s Communist Party to vet Hong Kong’s political candidates. The number of the territory’s Legislative Council seats directly elected by Hongkongers was also almost halved. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam yesterday said opposition candidates can still run – as long as they toe the China line. Former pro-democracy Emily Lau says the changes are “degrading and very oppressive.” The next election in Hong Kong is in December.