Hong Kong’s Dismal December

Hong Kong to Cut Elected Council Seats in Blow to Democracy

With the trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai beginning this week, the issuing of another round of arrest warrants and bounties against five exiled Hong Kong activists last week, and the sham district council elections on December 10, Hong Kong is once again in the news – all of it bad. The national security trial … Read more

Facing a Rigged Election, Hong Kongers Are Expected to ‘Lie Flat’

Facing a Rigged Election, Hong Kongers Are Expected to ‘Lie Flat’

In the streets of Hong Kong, advertisements for the upcoming District Council Election are visible across the city. These promotions, ranging from posters in public housing estates to large billboards in shopping districts, are not placed by the candidates, however. Instead, it is the government that is promoting the election itself and encourage 4.3 million … Read more

Hong Kong’s Choiceless Elections: A Cautionary Tale for Taiwan

Hong Kong’s Choiceless Elections: A Cautionary Tale for Taiwan

My friend points across the busy Hong Kong street. “It’s not like it used to be,” he says of the scene outside the North Point exit of the mass transit system. “Before, when we had elections, you’d see lots and lots of banners” for the competing political parties. Today, just four flags for the local … Read more

Hong Kong to Cut Elected Council Seats in Blow to Democracy

Hong Kong to Cut Elected Council Seats in Blow to Democracy

China Power | Politics | East Asia Chief Executive John Lee’s proposal would reduce the proportion of directly elected seats in local district councils to about 20 percent, from some 90 percent currently. Advertisement 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 … Read more