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Hong Kong's democracy debate Hong Kong's democracy debate
(about 23 hours later)
Debate in Hong Kong over how it should choose its next leader has reached feverish levels in recent months, sparking several protests. The BBC takes a look at the controversy. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have reacted angrily after Beijing ruled out open nominations for the election of Hong Kong's leader in 2017. The BBC takes a look at the controversy.
What is Hong Kong's relationship with China?What is Hong Kong's relationship with China?
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.
China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.
As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.
Its leader, the chief executive, is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the representatives are viewed as pro-Beijing.Its leader, the chief executive, is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the representatives are viewed as pro-Beijing.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, says that "the ultimate aim" is to elect the chief executive "by universal suffrage", but the candidates would need to be nominated by "a broadly representative nominating committee". Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, says that "the ultimate aim" is to elect the chief executive "by universal suffrage".
So what has changed?So what has changed?
The Chinese government has promised direct elections for the chief executive by 2017. The Chinese government has promised direct elections for chief executive by 2017.
But in late August China's top legislative committee insisted that voters will only have a choice from a list of two or three candidates selected by a nominating committee, and Beijing has said all candidates must be "patriotic". But in August 2014 China's top legislative committee ruled that voters will only have a choice from a list of two or three candidates selected by a nominating committee.
This has angered activists, who fear China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of. This committee would be formed "in accordance with" Hong Kong's largely pro-Beijing election committee. Any candidate would have to secure the support of more than 50% of the nominating committee before being able to run in the election.
Democracy activists believe China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.
Who is leading the debate?Who is leading the debate?
Leading the pro-democracy movement is a group called Occupy Central, led by academic Benny Tai.Leading the pro-democracy movement is a group called Occupy Central, led by academic Benny Tai.
The group organised the unofficial referendum on political reform which was held from 20 to 29 June 2014.The group organised the unofficial referendum on political reform which was held from 20 to 29 June 2014.
Voters were asked to choose from three proposals for the 2017 election, all of which involved allowing citizens to choose who to nominate as a candidate for the top job.Voters were asked to choose from three proposals for the 2017 election, all of which involved allowing citizens to choose who to nominate as a candidate for the top job.
A total of 792,808 voters cast ballots. Activists claimed the high turnout - about one in five registered voters - showed they had strong backing from the public.A total of 792,808 voters cast ballots. Activists claimed the high turnout - about one in five registered voters - showed they had strong backing from the public.
Shortly after the vote, tens of thousands of protesters took part in what observers say was Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy rally in a decade.Shortly after the vote, tens of thousands of protesters took part in what observers say was Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy rally in a decade.
The demonstration took place on 1 July, which marked the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.The demonstration took place on 1 July, which marked the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
Does everyone want full democracy?Does everyone want full democracy?
Not quite. Pro-Beijing groups, such as Silent Majority for Hong Kong and Caring Hong Kong Power have emerged, criticising pro-democracy activists of "endangering" the city. No. Pro-Beijing groups, such as Silent Majority for Hong Kong and Caring Hong Kong Power have emerged, criticising pro-democracy activists for "endangering" the city.
They argue that continued civil disobedience and opposition to Beijing would only damage the city's reputation and economy, as well as its relationship with China.They argue that continued civil disobedience and opposition to Beijing would only damage the city's reputation and economy, as well as its relationship with China.
These groups have organised several protests against Occupy Central and the pro-democracy movement. Its biggest event, held on 17 August, was attended by thousands.These groups have organised several protests against Occupy Central and the pro-democracy movement. Its biggest event, held on 17 August, was attended by thousands.
The rally was unusual as large-scale pro-government protests are rare in Hong Kong. Several questioned its legitimacy, especially when reports emerged that some marchers were paid to attend, The rally was unusual as large-scale pro-government protests are rare in Hong Kong. Several questioned its legitimacy, especially when reports emerged that some marchers were paid to attend.
Business leaders, who favour stability, have also opposed pro-democracy protests, and a recent survey by Hong Kong also University showed more Hong Kong residents view China positively than negatively. Business leaders, who favour stability, have also opposed pro-democracy protests, and a recent survey by Hong Kong University showed more Hong Kong residents viewed China positively than negatively.
Pro-China legislators have argued that Beijing's proposals are an improvement on the current system.Pro-China legislators have argued that Beijing's proposals are an improvement on the current system.
What does China say?What does China say?
China has refused to budge, condemning the pro-democracy protests and calling the unofficial referendum a "farce". China has defended its ruling on election candidacy. Li Fei, the deputy secretary general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said that openly nominating candidates would create a "chaotic society" and that any chief executive must "love the country".
China has condemned the pro-democracy protests and called the unofficial referendum a "farce".
In its June 2014 white paper, China said some had a "confused and lopsided" understanding of the "one country, two systems" model.In its June 2014 white paper, China said some had a "confused and lopsided" understanding of the "one country, two systems" model.
It stressed that while Hong Kong has a "high degree of autonomy", it is "not full autonomy". China still has "comprehensive jurisdiction".It stressed that while Hong Kong has a "high degree of autonomy", it is "not full autonomy". China still has "comprehensive jurisdiction".
The white paper sparked criticism in Hong Kong, with some interpreting the document as China asserting its authority over the city.The white paper sparked criticism in Hong Kong, with some interpreting the document as China asserting its authority over the city.
China has constantly stressed that unity is the way forward for the country, as it grapples with demands for greater autonomy in Xinjiang and Tibet.China has constantly stressed that unity is the way forward for the country, as it grapples with demands for greater autonomy in Xinjiang and Tibet.
What is the Hong Kong government's stand?What is the Hong Kong government's stand?
The Hong Kong government has said June's unofficial referendum has no legal standing. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying hailed Beijing's decision on election candidacy as a "major step forward in the development of Hong Kong's society".
It has also welcomed the Chinese government's white paper, saying that Hong Kong has benefited from the "one country, two systems" model. His government had said June's unofficial referendum had no legal standing.
Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, is viewed widely by locals as a Beijing loyalist. It also welcomed the Chinese government's white paper, saying that Hong Kong has benefited from the "one country, two systems" model.
In a report submitted to Beijing in July, he said that mainstream Hong Kong society agreed with Beijing on how electoral reform should proceed. In a report submitted to Beijing in July, Mr Leung said that mainstream Hong Kong society agreed with Beijing on how electoral reform should proceed.
The report was based on public consultation with the Hong Kong public. But it drew fire from pro-democracy activists who said Mr Leung had misrepresented public opinion.The report was based on public consultation with the Hong Kong public. But it drew fire from pro-democracy activists who said Mr Leung had misrepresented public opinion.
What's next?What's next?
Occupy Central has warned that if top leaders do not come up with a proposal for the 2017 election that meets international standards for democracy, it will mobilise 10,000 people for a sit-in protest in the city's financial district. Following Beijing's ruling on election candidacy, Occupy Central's Benny Tai said that dialogue had now come to an end.
Businesses have expressed concern, saying the protest could deal a blow to the economic development of Hong Kong and the mainland. He said that there would be an "era of civil disobedience", including a mass sit-in to be organised at a later date in the Central financial district.
The Hong Kong government must still discuss Beijing's election ruling and formulate a bill to be passed by Hong Kong's legislature.