China has sharply reduced the number of directly elected seats in Hong Kong’s legislature in another setback for the territory’s beleaguered democracy movement. The Hong Kong legislature will be expanded to 90 seats, and only 20 will be elected by the public. Expand Close A government advertisement to promote the new Hong Kong electoral system (Kin Cheung/AP) / FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsapp A government advertisement to promote the new Hong Kong electoral system (Kin Cheung/AP)Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong last year and is following up this year with a revamp of the electoral process. Expand Close Carrie Lam (Kin Cheung/AP) / FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsapp Carrie Lam (Kin Cheung/AP)She dismissed concerns that the changes will affect plans for the city to achieve universal suffrage and allow residents to vote for their leader. The political opposition in Hong Kong — which has sought more democracy — sees the changes as part of a broader effort to keep them out of office.

Source: Irish Independent March 30, 2021 07:16 UTC