In clinching a famous set of victories at the Hong Kong elections, the pro-democracy camp retained its veto power in the 70-seat council, despite warnings from China’s government.
Advertisement
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.
Law has previously distanced himself from the more radical “localist” movement, which includes activists who are stridently pro-independence and have in the past advocated violence.
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.
Protest leader Nathan Law, 23, was in court last month for his part in the mass “occupy” movement that blocked roads for 79 days.
Sunday’s Legislative Council election was remarkable on many levels in terms of the outcome, with the most noticeable feature being the rise of groups that call for localism or self-determination for Hong Kong.
“It was out of my imagination that I won with more than 50,000 votes”.
However, a different poll in the same month found nearly 40 percent of young Hong Kong residents want independence.
The stern message came after several young activists won seats on LegCo.
Mr Law’s election was confirmed on Monday as results were released constituency by constituency.
“I am willing to share with them in the following four years and in the future”.
Only 40 of Legco’s 70 seats are directly elected by the public, while special-interest groups select the rest.
Beijing officials have repeatedly warned Hong Kong not to stray too far.
Several candidates were banned from running in the elections for failing to prove they no longer backed Hong Kong’s independence.
Tuesday’s local edition of the state-owned China Daily newspaper said the election result could lead to “separatist ideas” being floated in the LegCo, AFP news agency reports. The other 30 of the seats can only be elected by members of certain trades and professions, while the remaining five are elected by voting populations across the former British colony.
“It’s a new era”, said Lee Cheuk-yan, a democratic lawmaker who lost his seat after more than two decades in public office.
Both seat victories were unexpected. Their group was formed during the 2014 protests and proposes a similar plan as Demosisto.
Leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong will have to reconsider their hard-line approach toward rising pro-democracy opposition after it backfired, “because now with the entry of a new generation of young democrats into the legislature, the politics inside the legislature will be very fierce”, said Sonny Lo, a political analyst at The Education University of Hong Kong.
Eddie Chu Hoi-dick is a veteran social activist and, now, victor of a seat in the New Territories West constituency.
The dissatisfaction with government in Hong Kong has also been fed by a ballooning gap between the rich and the poor, combined with signs that the mainland is trying to tighten its grip over the territory.
Advertisement
One of them, Yau Wai-Ching of new party Youngspiration, gained a seat saying Hong Kong had “the right to discuss its sovereignty”.
