At least three of the young leaders who took the front row in the 2014 pro-democracy protests have been elected to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council or LegCo – the majority of which holds the power to veto certain legislations in the territory.
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Pro-democracy candidates needed to secure at least 24 of 70 seats in the Legislative Council in order to block government attempts to enact unpopular or controversial legislation, such as a Beijing-backed revamp of how the city’s top leader is chosen that sparked the 2014 protests.
Record turnout in Sunday’s vote helped sweep the newcomers into office, most notably Nathan Law, a 23-year-old former student protest leader, who garnered the second-highest number of votes in his six-seat Hong Kong Island constituency.
“We firmly oppose any activity relating to Hong Kong independence in any form, inside or outside the Legislative Council, and firmly support the Hong Kong government to impose punishment in accordance with the law”, state news agency Xinhua cited a spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council – China’s cabinet – as saying.
It was especially hard for any pro-independence candidate to win because the Chinese government forced all candidates to sign a pledge accepting that Hong Kong belonged to China.
Law is a co-founder of the advocacy group Demosisto, which pushes for a referendum that includes an option to allow Hong Kong independence from China in 2047.
Youngspiration was formed during the 2014 protests and Ms Yau said the party proposed a similar plan to Demosisto.
It is nearly impossible for the democracy camp to take a majority in LegCo as 30 of its 70 seats are elected by special interest groups representing a range of businesses and social sectors.
HK receives warning from China after elections. The party is more vocally pro-independent.
Beijing officials have repeatedly warned Hong Kong not to stray too far.
With the pro-democracy camp divided between those who back the idea of possible independence and those who are more wary of the once taboo notion, Law said he would seek unity.
Election saw a new wave of localist candidates winning seven seats, beyond the expectations of analysts.
It saw the emergence of young campaigners demanding outright independence for Hong Kong – a subject previously taboo.
Law said: “It can be described as a miracle that I won”.
The U.K. gave up Hong Kong to China in 1997.
The debate over Hong Kong independence has defined the election, with several candidates barred from running for allegedly breaking electoral rules by advocating separation from China.
Approximately 2.2 million voters participated in the historical legislative election.
The structure of the council makes it nearly impossible for the democracy camp to take a majority as 30 of the council’s 70 seats are elected by special interest groups representing a range of businesses and social sectors.
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The fifth term of LegCo began on Oct 1, 2012 and will end on Sep 30, 2016.
