News Digest

Hong Kong braces for protests as China denies request for full democracy

Pro-democracy activists vowed on Sunday to bring Hong Kong’s financial hub to a standstill after China’s parliament rejected their demands for the right to freely choose the former British colony’s next leader in 2017. China’s legislature on Sunday ruled against allowing open nominations in elections for Hong Kong’s chief executiv. To get on the ballot, candidates for chief executive of Hong Kong will need to receive the approval of a Beijing-appointed Election Committee. Activists are mobilising to stage massive protests against the decision.

Since the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is a need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner.

Statement from the Standing Committee

Hong Kong has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Chinese leaders had agreed then that the chief executive would be chosen by “universal suffrage” in 2017, language pro-democracy activists say shows Beijing hasn’t kept its promises. Already, activists in Hong Kong were laying out their next steps, with the most high-profile group, called Occupy Central, calling for a Sunday night rally in the city’s centre. Occupy Central has threatened to shut down the city’s financial district with a massive sit-in if Beijing doesn’t allow completely open elections for chief executive.