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Hong Kong election: Youth protest leaders win LegCo seats Hong Kong election: Youth protest leaders win LegCo seats
(about 1 hour later)
A new generation of activists have for the first time won seats on Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo). A new generation of pro-democracy activists have won seats on Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo).
Among them is Nathan Law, one of the young leaders of the mass pro-democracy demonstrations of 2014. The young leaders want greater autonomy and changes to the way Hong Kong is governed by China. Voter turnout reached a record high of 58%.
It is the first taste of real political power for the young protest leaders, who want more independence from China for the former British colony. Among those elected is Nathan Law, 23, who helped lead the "Umbrella Protests" in 2014 for self-determination.
But pro-Beijing politicians will retain a majority in the 70-seat council, partly because of the electoral system. Despite the gains, China's supporters will continue to hold the majority of seats on the 70-seat council.
Results were delayed by a record turnout, which saw some 58% of 3.8 million registered voters cast their ballots, compared with 45.2% in 2008. Full results are due later on Monday. Mr Law expressed shock at the result, saying it showed people "wanted change".
There has been no reaction yet from the Chinese government in Beijing.
A delay in releasing preliminary results had caused some concern. Full results are due later on Monday.
What do the activists want?What do the activists want?
The election is the first in the territory since the 2014 "Umbrella Protests", which saw central areas of Hong Kong paralysed for weeks by mostly young protesters. The election is the first in the territory since the 2014 unrest, when central areas of Hong Kong were paralysed for weeks by mostly young protesters.
They were demanding greater democracy for the territory amid concerns that Beijing was increasingly interfering in the former British colony's politics, breaking the "one country, two systems" agreement. They were demanding greater democracy for the territory amid concerns that Beijing was increasingly interfering in the politics of the former British colony, breaking the "one country, two systems" agreement.
Beijing denies this, and gave no concessions to the protesters.Beijing denies this, and gave no concessions to the protesters.
"I think Hong Kongers really wanted change," Mr Law, 23, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "Young people have a sense of urgency when it comes to the future.""I think Hong Kongers really wanted change," Mr Law, 23, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "Young people have a sense of urgency when it comes to the future."
Mr Law, whose Demosisto party campaigns for the right to self-determination, had the second highest number of votes in the multi-seat Hong Kong Island constituency.Mr Law, whose Demosisto party campaigns for the right to self-determination, had the second highest number of votes in the multi-seat Hong Kong Island constituency.
Two candidates from the Youngspiration party, a more vocally pro-independence movement which also has its roots in the Umbrella Protests, were also on course to be elected.Two candidates from the Youngspiration party, a more vocally pro-independence movement which also has its roots in the Umbrella Protests, were also on course to be elected.
However, several veteran democrats failed to retain their seats.However, several veteran democrats failed to retain their seats.
"People want change, change meaning that they want new faces... but the price is a further fragmentation [of the pro-democracy camp]," Lee Cheuk-yan, who lost out in the New Territories West constituency, told Reuters. "People want change, change meaning that they want new faces... but the price is a further fragmentation [of the pro-democracy camp]," defeated candidate Lee Cheuk-yan told Reuters.
Will these results change anything?Will these results change anything?
Supporters of Beijing's influence will continue to dominate the LegCo, and Mr Law warned that pro-democracy legislators would "have to be united to fight against the [Chinese] Communist Party". Mr Law warned that pro-democracy legislators would "have to be united to fight against the [Chinese] Communist Party".
Importantly for Mr Law and his allies, they look set to retain the one third of seats they would need to veto major legislation and public funding. Importantly for Mr Law and his allies, democrats look set to retain the one third of seats they would need to veto major legislation and public funding.
There will also be more radical voices in the LegCo, with at least six young candidates who support self-determination for Hong Kong occupying seats.There will also be more radical voices in the LegCo, with at least six young candidates who support self-determination for Hong Kong occupying seats.
What will China think?What will China think?
There has so far been no official comment from the authorities in Beijing.There has so far been no official comment from the authorities in Beijing.
However, the Hong Kong government's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam said it would do its best to "bring them [radical activists] around to a more centrist position".However, the Hong Kong government's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam said it would do its best to "bring them [radical activists] around to a more centrist position".
"Independence is not realistic at all," said Elizabeth Quat, a member of a pro-Beijing party. "Hopefully this will not be their main objective.""Independence is not realistic at all," said Elizabeth Quat, a member of a pro-Beijing party. "Hopefully this will not be their main objective."
The Chinese government has consistently denounced pro-democracy protests, calling the 2014 street occupations "illegal", and stressed that unity is the way forward for the country.The Chinese government has consistently denounced pro-democracy protests, calling the 2014 street occupations "illegal", and stressed that unity is the way forward for the country.
How does the electoral system work?How does the electoral system work?
Candidates were competing for the 70 seats on the LegCo, which passes laws and budgets in the territory. But only 35 constituency seats are directly elected by the population. Candidates were competing for the 70 seats on the LegCo, which passes laws and budgets in the territory. But only 35 constituency seats are directly elected by the 3.8 million registered voters.
Another 30 seats, called "functional constituencies", represent particular professions or trades and only people connected to those professions or trades can cast votes for those seats.Another 30 seats, called "functional constituencies", represent particular professions or trades and only people connected to those professions or trades can cast votes for those seats.
That is about 6% of the population, and they are overwhelmingly Beijing-leaning. That is about 6% of the population, and they are mostly Beijing-leaning.
A further five "super seats" are chosen by voters across the territory. Representatives for a further five "super seat" constituencies are chosen by voters across the territory.
The vote does not elect Hong Kong's chief executive, the head of government, but many analysts believe the outcome could have an impact on whether China grants current leader CY Leung a second term in office.The vote does not elect Hong Kong's chief executive, the head of government, but many analysts believe the outcome could have an impact on whether China grants current leader CY Leung a second term in office.