Noose tightens

Restoration of democracy must seem to be of lesser moment in the overall construct. So when the chief executive, Carrie Lam, warmly welcomes the charter of reforms, she merely plays to the Beijing gallery soon after her visit to the mainland. By amending Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the composition of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and the Election Committee (EC), which is responsible for electing the Chief Executive, would be drastically adjusted.