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Asia: Hong Kong: Elections see Populist gains for Beijing

Hong Kong recently finished it's biggest election since the territory reverted from British rule to communist China 7 years ago. Over 53% of the population voted in what BBC called a "test of public feeling" towards Beijing rule. Pro-democratic candidates got a minor gain, although Pro-China saw the biggest growth in the public vote, winning 5 more seats than the last election.

Hong Kong's government is an interesting system that retains democratic process introduced during British rule yet ensures Beijing maintains ultimate control. The territory has a mini-constitution called The Basic Law, an Executive Council or ExCo led by a Chief Executive choosen by Beijing, and a Legislative Council known as LegCo. Notice the business-themed government titles for a territory with a rich history of trade and commerce.

LegCo is a body of 60 legislators, 30 elected by the public, 30 elected by functional constituencies that represent business trade and professional bodies like bankers and accountants and who almost always elect Pro-China. Pro-Democracy won 18 of the publically elected seats, Pro-China won 12.

Under the terms of the handover from Britian to China in 1997, Hong Kong is supposed to retain it's politcal freedoms for 50 years. However, recent years have shown many challenges to those freedoms from Beijing, which maintains a policy of reformation to reintroduce Hong Kong into the People's Republic. Back in April of this year Beijing passed a ruling that gave the communist government veto power over Hong Kong, effectively nullifying any democratic independence from China. Even more controversial were security laws that sparked the largest protests in Hong Kong's history.

posted by fullcircle @ 9/13/2004 11:17:00 PM