With the count complete in most constituencies, newly formed separatist parties had 27 seats on the 70-member legislative council.
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There were emotional scenes as the historic results were announced, with former pan-democratic candidates in tears as the new guard prepared to carry on.
Lawmakers will take up their seats on October 1 and will have to swear an oath to uphold the constitution, which describes Hong Kong as part of China.
A record 2.2 million people voted in the city-wide election for members of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Hong Kong’s lawmaking body, as fears grow Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city.
Many believe that the principle of “one country, two systems” is quickly being eroded away by Beijing and pro-democracy – not to mention pro-independence – sentiment has been spreading, especially among the young people.
“I think Hong Kongers wanted real change”, Law, 23, said.
Independence from China, once unthinkable, should be an option in future, he said, according to the South China Morning Post, adding that he would work with similarly-minded lawmakers towards this direction.
Pro-independence candidates have so far dominated the landmark election, the results of which isn’t expected until later today, after several hours of delay due to an unprecedented turnout. “The [large number of] votes will remind me to do better and not to let people down in the next four years”.
Hong Kong’s pro-democratic politicians hope to stay in control of the 35 seats it needs in the LegCo in order to retain the power to block legislations that they deem harmful to the integrity of democracy in the territory.
It doesn’t elect Hong Kong’s chief executive, who is the head of government.
A report by Reuters also revealed that Chinese enterprises in Hong Kong were “instructing staff how to vote” before the elections, with employees asked to “vote for patriotic candidates who ‘love China and love Hong Kong'”.
Secondary school students pushing for Hong Kong’s breakaway from China have threatened protests after staff stopped them from handing out political pamphlets, as the government puts pressure on independence activists.
“It’s a new era”, said democrat Lee Cheuk-yan, who lost his seat after almost two decades in public office.
Both seat victories were unexpected.
They are becoming increasingly anxious that Beijing is moving to erode the territory’s civil liberties, which are enshrined under the 1997 handover agreement that ensured Hong Kong’s autonomy for at least 50 years.
Eddie Chu Hoi-dick is a veteran social activist and, now, victor of a seat in the New Territories West constituency.
On Saturday (September 3) as part of TaiwanFest, Taiwanese journalist Tieh-chih Chang told a Vancouver audience that this Hong Kong election was particularly important.
Hong Kong and Beijing officials have consistently slammed independence as unconstitutional.
The changed landscape reflected voters’ discontent with the political status quo and their willingness to give new faces a chance, Chinese University political scientist Professor Ma Ngok said.
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The election outcome has left Beijing with more than just a deadlock between the establishment and opposition camps. “Independence is not realistic at all”, she said. “Ideologically they’re talking about independence and they want to assert themselves”.
