The movement for greater autonomy from mainland China gained momentum Sunday in the most important election since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from Britain. Beijing-backed Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Under a mini-constitution known as Basic Law, Hong Kong enjoys freedoms that go far beyond those of mainland China. The ban of six pro-independence candidates was based on the notion that their advocacy for independence violated the Basic Law, which states that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. A recent poll by the Chinese University of Hong Kong showed that 40% of people in Hong Kong under the age of 25 support independence, though most think it is impossible.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 05, 2016 03:15 UTC