They accuse Beijing of undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and rule of law through incidents from increasing political meddling to the abduction of five booksellers past year. Hong Kong has been ruled by this system since returning to Chinese control in 1997.
Advertisement
The pro-democracy vote, though, risks being split by the emergence of a new generation of radical activists.
University student Law, who is reading cultural studies, rose to prominence during the 2014 rallies, delivering speeches to tens of thousands who protested on the streets and meeting government officials in what were ultimately fruitless negotiations.
The student has now been elected a legislative councillor for the Hong Kong constituency for his pro-democracy party Demosisto.
“This shows that Hong Kong people want changes, it shows that Hong Kong people want to resist”, said Leung. He added that “young people have a sense of urgency when it comes to the future”.
Law, 23, told Al Jazeera after his victory that he believes “the people of Hong Kong were looking for a new voice in the electoral system who can uphold the different voices of the democratic movement”.
“We still have to unite in order to have stronger power to fight against the Chinese Communist Party”.
Young campaigners have been galvanised by a number of incidents which have pointed to increased Beijing interference. They resurfaced in detention on the mainland.
Representatives for a further five functional constituencies, known as “super seats” are chosen by voters across the territory.
“It is also against the fundamental interests of all Hong Kong residents”, said the office on its website.
The loudest pro-independence voices were banned by the government from standing in the vote, a move that triggered widespread anger.
Some localists who were allowed to stand continued to call for independence on the campaign trail.
Yau Wai Ching, 25, won one of the two seats claimed by her party, Youngspiration.
Despite the disqualification of six pro-democracy election candidates from the election in July on the grounds that they supported independence, preliminary results showed several localists and young democrats likely winning seats.
A recount in one remaining constituency held up the final result and was continuing on Monday afternoon.
Sunday’s (September 4) vote saw young activists pushing for more autonomy from Beijing secure a crucial foothold in the city’s Legislative Council (LegCo), as fears grow that China is tightening its grip.
Pro-democracy legislatures took 19 out of the 35 seats that were up for grabs in the election, giving them 30 total seats in the 70-member LegCo.
“People want change, change meaning that they want new faces. but the price is a further fragmentation (of the democracy camp)”.
However, the overall make-up of the LegCo remains weighted towards Beijing under a system that makes it nearly impossible for the democracy camp to take a majority.
The newcomers were riding a rising tide of anti-China sentiment as they challenged formidably resourced pro-Beijing rivals for seats.
Advertisement
Poll results were delayed due to a high turn-out of voters, with 58 percent of an estimated 3.8 million voters queuing up to cast their ballots.
