Pro-Democracy Camp Makes Significant Gains in Hong Kong’s Election By Phillip Howard
After months of protests over a controversial extradition bill, pro-democracy forces won by a landslide in local elections this past Sunday.
Chief executive Carrie Lam conceded defeat, pledged to respect the results, and work with the more than three-quarters of new members in the 452-seat legislature.
“There are various analyses and interpretations in the community in relation to the results, and quite a few are of the view that the results reflect people’s dissatisfaction with the current situation and the deep-seated problems in society,” Lam said in a related statement. Lam agreed to “listen to the opinions of members of the public and seriously reflect.”
Carrie Lam (Photo by Nora Tam)
In mainland China, Chinese officials had a stronger reaction. Speaking on the matter, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang did not mention the results, instead sayin “the most pressing task for Hong Kong at the moment is stopping violence and restoring order.” Shuang further added that China “is determined in implementing the principle of ‘one country, two systems,’ and in opposing external interference in Hong Kong affairs.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed similar sentiments stating he is awaiting the final results and reiterating that Hong Kong is a part of China “no matter what happens.
Photo by AFP
The results of the election sent positive waves throughout the world, while stocks rally. “There is this relief that pro-democracy protesters are now being represented, and the government has to deal with this,” said Airy Lau, an investment director at Fair Capital Management, further adding that she does not expect that the Chinese government will not act harshly.
Newly elected district councilors now constitute a significant chunk of the Election Council, the 1,200-member body of politicians and business figures that elect the chief executive. At the same time, newly elected pan-democrats, who also made significant gains, may sway the election of the next chief executive, expected in 2022.
Phillip Howard is a graduate student at Utica College
