Once again, Hong Kong’s new chief executive will be selected by a pro-China committee that insists on maintaining a facade of free elections, according to a report by the New York Times.
Many pro-democracy supporters advocating for more freedom in the selection of the region’s leaders are disappointed at this new development.
Recently activists were successful in opposing Beijing’s offer to push for a direct popular vote, which was expected to be a sham nonetheless. Although it did little to dissuade Beijing meddling in Hong Kong’s election, pro-democracy activists are proud of their efforts.
“The direct vote would have given the election false legitimacy, and the chief executive a false mandate,” said Nathan Law, one of the student leaders of the protest movement. “There’s absolutely no regret.”
China tightens its grip, discontented activists press on
Since the 2014 protests, China has increasingly made efforts to intervene in the region’s elections. In November, the Beijing did not hesitate to block the seating of two incoming legislators who pledged their loyalty to the “Hong Kong nation,” the report furthers.
The two politicians even made a variation of their oaths in an effort to express their anti-China sentiments.
Although Beijing made a commitment in 2014 to enable Hong Kong to elect its leaders freely, there are many provisions that maintain strict limitations.
For instance, while millions of Hong Kong citizens would be able to vote, they could only do so by choosing among two or three candidates handpicked by a committee that is staunchly pro-China.
Furthermore, as election day draws closer, Beijing is struggling to handle persistent protests and calls for even greater Autonomy in Hong Kong. Many activists are coming from the younger populations.
Pro-democracy sentiment reached a high point when new lawmakers were sworn in last October.
Among them, Lau Siu-Lao, a legislator read her oath slowly, pausing after each word. While another legislator, Leung Kwok-Hung, proceeded to open a yellow umbrella, which was symbolic of the iconic 2014 protests.