The Group of Seven (G-7) and the European Union (EU) expressed “grave concern over the erosion” of Hong Kong’s democracy in its electoral system, following local Legislative Council elections on Dec. 19 that saw pro-Beijing candidates swept to victory. “We strongly reiterate our call on China to act in accordance with the Sino–British Joint Declaration and its other legal obligations and respect fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, as provided for in the Basic Law,” the G-7 foreign ministers and the EU high representative said in a joint statement on Dec. 20. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States are G-7 members. “We also call on the China and the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in Hong Kong’s political institutions and end the unwarranted oppression of those who promote democratic values and the defense of rights and freedoms,” they said. Hours before the G-7 …