‘Patriots Only’: Hong Kong’s New Election System in Action
3 years ago

‘Patriots Only’: Hong Kong’s New Election System in Action

The Diplomat  

At this time, Hong Kong is usually buzzing with political activity. “This is very much unlike the elections I’ve taken part in, and hence why I said very early on when they were going to revamp the system that my party should not take part.” A Political Shake-up of the System Under the new framework, the Election Committee has overwhelming political power in shaping the LegCo election. Since the postponement of last year’s LegCo election, however, many civil society and advocacy organizations, including the Hong Kong Confederate of Trade Unions, have chosen to disband under immense political pressure. It’s a very complicated and difficult process, and those who are able to be nominated are those people haven’t heard of, or cannot contact.” At the end of September 2021, after political pressure from prominent pro-Beijing figure Lo Man-Tuen, the Democratic Party allowed members to nominate candidates to run in the upcoming LegCo election. After a strenuous two-hour internal meeting in mid-October, the Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood, a moderate grassroots pro-democracy party, announced that its members may sign up to run in the LegCo election.

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History of this topic

Hong Kong leader praises election turnout as voter numbers hit record low
1 year ago

Hong Kong leader praises election turnout as voter numbers hit record low

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday praised the 27.5% voter turnout in the city’s weekend election, a record low since the territory returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Sunday’s district council election was the first held under new rules introduced under Beijing’s direction that effectively shut out all pro-democracy candidates. Lee said there was resistance to …

Lee hails competitive HK vote
1 year ago

Lee hails competitive HK vote

China Daily  

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and election officials open a ballot box used for the Hong Kong SAR's seventh District Council Ordinary Election on Monday. Election seen as upholding principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday congratulated all 264 members elected in the city's District …

Voter Turnout Plunges In Hong Kong After Rules Shut Out Pro-Democracy Candidates
1 year ago

Voter Turnout Plunges In Hong Kong After Rules Shut Out Pro-Democracy Candidates

Huff Post  

Pedestrians walk past posters promoting candidates during the District Council elections in Hong Kong, on Dec. 10, 2023. Residents went to the polls on Sunday in Hong Kong's first district council elections since an electoral overhaul was implemented under Beijing's guidance of “patriots” administering the city, effectively shutting out all pro-democracy candidates. AP Photo/Louise Delmotte HONG KONG — Voter turnout …

Voter turnout plunges below 30% in Hong Kong election after rules shut out pro-democracy candidates
1 year ago

Voter turnout plunges below 30% in Hong Kong election after rules shut out pro-democracy candidates

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Voter turnout plunged below 30% in Hong Kong’s first district council elections since new rules introduced under Beijing’s guidance effectively shut out all pro-democracy candidates, setting a record low since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. “The newly elected district councilors come from diverse backgrounds,” Hong Kong leader John Lee said. Beijing’s top …

District Council polls seen as final piece in principle of 'patriots governing HK'
1 year ago

District Council polls seen as final piece in principle of 'patriots governing HK'

China Daily  

Hong Kong residents pose for pictures outside a polling station after casting their votes for the 7th District Council Ordinary Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong, China, Dec 10, 2023. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's 7th District Council Ordinary Election, which was held on Sunday, was the final piece in the full implementation of …

Turnout slumps to record low of 27.5% in Hong Kong ‘patriots-only’ poll
1 year ago

Turnout slumps to record low of 27.5% in Hong Kong ‘patriots-only’ poll

Al Jazeera  

Voters stay away from polls overhauled to limit number of directly elected seats and keep those deemed disloyal out of public office. Hong Kong’s first “patriots only” district council elections saw a turnout of just 27.5 percent, a record low, after all opposition candidates were excluded from the ballot. Despite the extra time, the government’s official website on Monday showed …

Implementing principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong,' opening new chapter in district governance: Liaison office of central gov't in HKSAR
1 year ago

Implementing principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong,' opening new chapter in district governance: Liaison office of central gov't in HKSAR

China Daily  

This undated photo shows the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. HONG KONG -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday extended congratulations to the newly elected District Council councillors. The office said it believes that the new term District Councils will …

Hong Kong congratulated on successful holding of district council election
1 year ago

Hong Kong congratulated on successful holding of district council election

China Daily  

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim cast their votes in the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at the Raimondi College, Hong Kong on Dec 10, 2023 The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's district council election on Sunday was an important step to fully implement "patriots administering Hong Kong" and improve governance, the …

Hong Kong holds first council elections under new rules that shut out pro-democracy candidates
1 year ago

Hong Kong holds first council elections under new rules that shut out pro-democracy candidates

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Residents went to the polls on Sunday in Hong Kong’s first district council elections since an electoral overhaul was implemented under Beijing’s guidance of “patriots” administering the city, effectively shutting out all pro-democracy candidates. The final turnout in the vote will be a barometer of public sentiment toward the “patriots”-only system, the new political order under the …

Hong Kong holds ‘patriot only’ election after shutting out opposition
1 year ago

Hong Kong holds ‘patriot only’ election after shutting out opposition

Al Jazeera  

Vote restricts residents to choosing between Beijing loyalists after pro-democracy camp scored landslide win in 2019. Hong Kong has begun voting in its first “patriots only” district council election following an electoral overhaul that made it all but impossible for pro-democracy candidates to get on the ballot. Sunday’s vote, which restricts residents to choosing between hand-picked Beijing loyalists, comes after …

Lee: DC polls 'final piece in patriots governing Hong Kong'
1 year ago

Lee: DC polls 'final piece in patriots governing Hong Kong'

China Daily  

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim cast their votes in the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at the Raimondi College, Hong Kong on Dec 10, 2023 HONG KONG – Sunday's District Council Ordinary Election is the last jigsaw in the full implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", and the …

Lee: DC polls 'final piece in patriots governing Hong Kong'
1 year ago

Lee: DC polls 'final piece in patriots governing Hong Kong'

China Daily  

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim cast their votes in the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at the Raimondi College, Hong Kong on Dec 10, 2023 HONG KONG – Sunday's District Council Ordinary Election is the last jigsaw in the full implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", and the …

Hong Kong’s new election law thins the candidate pool, giving voters little option in Sunday’s polls
1 year ago

Hong Kong’s new election law thins the candidate pool, giving voters little option in Sunday’s polls

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — One of the Hong Kong’s longest-serving pro-democracy council members is organizing a farewell party with her residents in late December. “It’s even further back than where I originally started.” Jay Li, one of Hong Kong ’s remaining pro-democracy district councilors, decided not seek reelection this year after the government’s electoral overhaul. “My heart is very tired.” The …

Hong Kong leader defends new election rules even though biggest pro-democracy party can’t join race
1 year, 1 month ago

Hong Kong leader defends new election rules even though biggest pro-democracy party can’t join race

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader defended the rules for upcoming local elections as open and fair Tuesday after an electoral overhaul effectively barred the city’s remaining pro-democracy activists from joining the race. The city’s largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, will be absent in December’s district council election for the first time since its establishment in 1994. Party chair …

Hong Kong changes law to slash directly elected council seats, undermining democratic challenges
1 year, 5 months ago

Hong Kong changes law to slash directly elected council seats, undermining democratic challenges

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong lawmakers on Thursday passed an amendment to a law to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public, shutting down further democratic challenges in the city. “The councils became increasingly radical and turned into a very big resistance that obstructs the government’s work and …

Hong Kong to cut democratically elected seats on local councils
1 year, 7 months ago

Hong Kong to cut democratically elected seats on local councils

Hindustan Times  

The Hong Kong government has decided to change the way local district councils are filled, it announced, slashing the number of democratically elected seats by 80 per cent and instituting a vetting system for candidates, Nikkei Asia reported. Candidates would also need to go through a thorough vetting process to weed out those who oppose the Hong Kong or Chinese …

Hong Kong to cut elected council seats in blow to democracy
1 year, 7 months ago

Hong Kong to cut elected council seats in blow to democracy

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday stepped up a campaign to shut down further democratic challenges by unveiling plans to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public. Two years ago, Hong Kong already amended its electoral laws for its legislature, drastically reducing the public’s ability to …

Hong Kong reduces directly-elected seats in district polls
1 year, 7 months ago

Hong Kong reduces directly-elected seats in district polls

Al Jazeera  

The latest changes are part of an effort to ensure only ‘patriots’ hold political office in the territory. Hong Kong has cut the number of directly-elected seats in its local district councils in the latest part of an effort to ensure only “patriots” are able to hold political office in the territory. “Many council members refused to pledge their allegiance… …

Hong Kong plans electoral overhaul for district councils
1 year, 7 months ago

Hong Kong plans electoral overhaul for district councils

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong is planning to overhaul its last major political representative body that is mostly comprised of popularly elected seats, its leader said Tuesday. Chief Executive John Lee said at a press briefing that the government will not allow the district councils to become a platform for advocating Hong Kong independence or intervening in its administration. The …

How 45 Pro-Democracy Leaders Were Sentenced in Hong Kong’s Largest National Security Case
1 year, 10 months ago

How 45 Pro-Democracy Leaders Were Sentenced in Hong Kong’s Largest National Security Case

New York Times  

A court in Hong Kong handed down sentences ranging from just over four years to 10 years for 45 pro-democracy activists on Tuesday in a landmark political trial. Joshua Wong, 28 Twelve were elected lawmakers, who had often used their presence in the legislature to protest China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy. Lam Cheuk-ting, 47 Helena Wong, 66 Alvin Yeung, …

New electoral system ensures patriots administering HK
2 years, 7 months ago

New electoral system ensures patriots administering HK

China Daily  

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Editor's note: The election for the sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held on Sunday under the reformed electoral system. The National People's Congress Standing Committee introduced the National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020 and later reformed the electoral system to improve the institutional system of "one country, two systems". …

New electoral system ensures patriots administering HK
2 years, 7 months ago

New electoral system ensures patriots administering HK

China Daily  

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Editor's note: The election for the sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held on Sunday under the reformed electoral system. The National People's Congress Standing Committee introduced the National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020 and later reformed the electoral system to improve the institutional system of "one country, two systems". …

Beijing loyalist John Lee elected as Hong Kong's next leader
2 years, 7 months ago

Beijing loyalist John Lee elected as Hong Kong's next leader

The Hindu  

John Lee was elected as Hong Kong's next leader Sunday by an election committee comprised of nearly 1,500 largely pro-Beijing members. The election on Sunday follows major changes to Hong Kong’s electoral laws last year to ensure that only “patriots” loyal to Beijing can hold office. On Sunday morning, three members of the League of Social Democrats, a local activist …

Hong Kong election committee kicks off leadership polls with sole candidate, John Lee
2 years, 7 months ago

Hong Kong election committee kicks off leadership polls with sole candidate, John Lee

Firstpost  

As the only candidate in the polls, Lee is expected to win easily, especially since he has Beijing’s endorsement Hong Kong: A Hong Kong election committee is voting Sunday for the city’s only leadership candidate, John Lee, who is widely expected to win and become Hong Kong’s next chief executive. The election on Sunday follows major changes to Hong Kong’s …

John Lee’s bid for Hong Kong leader signals Beijing’s ‘hard line’
2 years, 8 months ago

John Lee’s bid for Hong Kong leader signals Beijing’s ‘hard line’

Al Jazeera  

Ex-security chief who spent decades in the police has indicated he will put security above all else in governing the territory. Throughout the 2019 turmoil, Lee’s press briefings displayed a “staunch expressionless defence of the proposed legislation” despite mounting domestic and international pressure, said Suzanne Pepper, a longtime Hong Kong resident and political scientist. Lee’s leadership style should be much …

Xi Jinping endorses Hong Kong’s elections
3 years ago

Xi Jinping endorses Hong Kong’s elections

The Hindu  

China’s President Xi Jinping on Wednesday gave a strong endorsement to both Hong Kong’s current Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and its recently held “patriots only” elections, which saw a record low turnout and no participation by most of the pro-democracy Opposition candidates. Ms. Lam, who faced widespread criticism in Hong Kong over her administration’s handling of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, …

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong elections
3 years ago

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong elections

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Candidates loyal to China’s Communist Party won a landslide victory in Hong Kong’s legislative elections after pro-democracy activists were imprisoned and authorities received the power to exclude those deemed inappropriate for office. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said during a news conference Monday she was “satisfied” with the election despite a 30.2% voter turnout — the lowest …

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep victories at Hong Kong polls
3 years ago

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep victories at Hong Kong polls

The Hindu  

Pro-Beijing candidates dominated Hong Kong's legislative elections, beating out moderates and independents in the city's first public poll after Beijing passed a resolution to amend the city's election laws. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said during a news conference Monday she was “satisfied” with the election despite a 30.2% voter turnout — the lowest since the British handed Hong Kong …

Voter turnout plunges in Hong Kong under new election laws
3 years ago

Voter turnout plunges in Hong Kong under new election laws

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Voter turnout in Hong Kong sank to 30 percent Sunday in the first legislative election since Beijing amended the laws to reduce the number of directly elected lawmakers and vet candidates to ensure that only those loyal to China could run. “Although there is a chance to vote for pro-establishment and democracy candidates, there are few democratic …

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong vote as turnout plunges
3 years ago

Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong vote as turnout plunges

Al Jazeera  

Voter turnout in Hong Kong sinks to a record low in first poll held under amended electoral laws. Pro-Beijing candidates have swept to victory in Hong Kong’s “patriots-only” legislative election, with turnout hitting a record low amid China’s crackdown on the city’s freedoms. The election was the first in Hong Kong since Beijing amended electoral laws to reduce the number …

Low turnout for Hong Kong ‘patriots’ polls
3 years ago

Low turnout for Hong Kong ‘patriots’ polls

The Hindu  

Low turnout and indifference among registered voters marked Hong Kong’s first elections since Beijing’s radical overhaul of the Special Administrative Region’s electoral system. Sunday’s polls to elect Hong Kong’s Legislative Council for the next four years were the first since Beijing passed legislation in March that gives it greater control. The other major change was the setting up of a …

Hong Kong votes for legislature with only loyalists approved
3 years ago

Hong Kong votes for legislature with only loyalists approved

The Hindu  

Hong Kong is voting on December 19 in the first election since Beijing amended the laws to reduce the number of directly elected lawmakers and vet candidates to ensure that only those loyal to China can run. Under the new election laws, incitement to boycott and casting invalid votes can lead up to three years in jail and a 200,000 …

Historic election heralds 'better future for HK'
3 years ago

Historic election heralds 'better future for HK'

China Daily  

Residents walk to a polling station in Sha Tin to vote in the 2021 Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021. Hong Kong's political heavyweights and community leaders said Sunday's 2021 Legislative Council Election is a pivotal moment in the city's political development that will ensure a brighter future for the people. Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong member of the …

Don't slander the IQ of Hong Kong voters
3 years ago

Don't slander the IQ of Hong Kong voters

China Daily  

Photo taken on March 12, 2021 shows the exterior of the headquarters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, south China. The evidence shows that Hong Kong people are full of enthusiasm and expectations for the Legislative Council under the new election system. Only after Hong Kong returned to the motherland did …

Polls close in Hong Kong’s overhauled ‘patriots’-only election
3 years ago

Polls close in Hong Kong’s overhauled ‘patriots’-only election

Al Jazeera  

More than 10 people were arrested in the run-up to the election for allegedly inciting people to cast blank ballots. Voting ended late Sunday for Hong Kong’s legislature poll under new “patriots only” rules imposed by Beijing that drastically reduced the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office. Hong Kong voters headed to the polls …

Local voices call elections more representative, inclusive
3 years ago

Local voices call elections more representative, inclusive

China Daily  

Hong Kong will hold its Legislative Council elections under the improved electoral system on Sunday. Speaking of patriots administering Hong Kong, Enoch Wong, senior manager at Tsinghua University, said the move sends a clear message about the need to reclaim an orderly Hong Kong, enabling the Hong Kong government to now focus on improving people's livelihoods and society’s development and …

Hong Kong public gears up to vote amid new election laws
3 years ago

Hong Kong public gears up to vote amid new election laws

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong voters are preparing to vote for the first time this weekend since election laws were changed, amid a dearth of opposition candidates months after the city began cracking down on dissent. Regina Ip, a pro-establishment candidate running in the Hong Kong Island West constituency, said that voters will take some time to get used to …

Hong Kong gears up for ‘patriots-only’ poll amid boycott calls
3 years ago

Hong Kong gears up for ‘patriots-only’ poll amid boycott calls

Al Jazeera  

Activists in Hong Kong call for a boycott of December 19 vote, saying the poll is a ‘selection’ and not an ‘election’. People see the candidates on the sidewalk and they cross the road, the same way they cross the road when they see a police station or the national security office.” Originally set for September of last year, the …

Why I left Hong Kong
3 years, 1 month ago

Why I left Hong Kong

Al Jazeera  

The national security law and its chilling effect on our civil liberties compelled me to leave my home. Earlier this month, almost half of 99 Hong Kong-based journalists polled anonymously by the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club said they were considering or had plans to leave the city due to the decline in press freedom under the national security law. …

New Hong Kong election committee decided with only 1 opposition member
3 years, 3 months ago

New Hong Kong election committee decided with only 1 opposition member

The Hindu  

Results for the vote for members of Hong Kong's Election Committee were finalized on Monday after hours of delays, with just one opposition-leaning candidate elected to the 1,500-strong committee. On Sunday, select Hong Kong residents voted for members of the Election Committee that will choose the city's leader in the first polls following reforms meant to ensure candidates with Beijing …

Voters choose new Hong Kong electors under pro-Beijing laws
3 years, 3 months ago

Voters choose new Hong Kong electors under pro-Beijing laws

The Hindu  

Select Hong Kong residents voted for members of the Election Committee on September 19 that choose the city's leader in polls that Chief Executive Carrie Lam called “very meaningful” as the first under reforms meant to ensure candidates with Beijing loyalty. The Election Committee will select 40 of 90 lawmakers in the city’s legislature during elections in December, as well …

Hong Kong few select powerful new ‘patriots only’ committee
3 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong few select powerful new ‘patriots only’ committee

Al Jazeera  

Some 4,800 people will select the Election Committee following China’s changes, compared with 233,000 five years ago. A select group of a few thousand people have begun voting for a powerful committee that will choose Hong Kong’s next leader and nearly half its legislature after electoral changes imposed by Beijing to ensure only “patriots” hold political office. Those allowed to …

HK's electoral reform promotes democracy
3 years, 3 months ago

HK's electoral reform promotes democracy

China Daily  

Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows China's national flags and flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on a street in China's Hong Kong. Thanks to the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has been adhering to the rule of law and holding democratic elections since its return to the motherland in 1997. But by pitting …

Ushering in electoral reform in Hong Kong
3 years, 3 months ago

Ushering in electoral reform in Hong Kong

China Daily  

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Editor's Note: Hong Kong will hold its first elections since implementing the electoral system reform, aimed at preventing subversives and radicals from contesting elections in order to maintain law and order in the special administrative region and ensure it continues to prosper. Electoral system overhaul overdue Although the hostile Western powers have imposed a punitive ban on …

HK's electoral reform promotes democracy
3 years, 3 months ago

HK's electoral reform promotes democracy

China Daily  

Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows China's national flags and flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on a street in China's Hong Kong. Thanks to the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has been adhering to the rule of law and holding democratic elections since its return to the motherland in 1997. But by pitting …

Ushering in electoral reform in Hong Kong
3 years, 3 months ago

Ushering in electoral reform in Hong Kong

China Daily  

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Editor's Note: Hong Kong will hold its first elections since implementing the electoral system reform, aimed at preventing subversives and radicals from contesting elections in order to maintain law and order in the special administrative region and ensure it continues to prosper. Electoral system overhaul overdue Although the hostile Western powers have imposed a punitive ban on …

Hundreds of politicians quit in protest of new Hong Kong loyalty oath, refuse allegiance to Chinese regime
3 years, 3 months ago

Hundreds of politicians quit in protest of new Hong Kong loyalty oath, refuse allegiance to Chinese regime

Firstpost  

Twenty-five councillors were told to take their oaths in a closed-door ceremony on Friday, but 24 of them attended the event. Pro-democracy councillor Peter Choi was useated with immediate effect for not turning up Hong Kong, China: Dozens of local community politicians in Hong Kong swore a newly required loyalty oath to China on Friday after hundreds of their colleagues …

Hong Kong ousts independent lawmaker
3 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong ousts independent lawmaker

The Hindu  

A powerful new Hong Kong committee, tasked with vetting politicians and officials for their loyalty, disqualified an opposition lawmaker for the first time on Thursday, as authorities purge its institutions of anyone deemed disloyal to Beijing. Cheng Chung-tai, one of just two opposition figures left in the city’s legislature, was deemed disloyal on the basis of his previous statements and …

Who do US politicians really stand with?－Truth about US blatant interference in China's internal affairs on Hong Kong-related issues
3 years, 4 months ago

Who do US politicians really stand with?－Truth about US blatant interference in China's internal affairs on Hong Kong-related issues

China Daily  

People display China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, March 6, 2021. The truth of the claim that "the United States stands with Hong Kong people" is that the US side will always stand with those who …

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