News Digest

Passions run high ahead of Hong Kong debate on China-vetted democracy blueprint

Thousands of police and protesters are expected to converge on Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Wednesday when lawmakers debate a Beijing-backed electoral reform plan that could trigger fresh pro-democracy protests in the Chinese-controlled city. The former British colony has reinforced security after mass protests crippled parts of the Asian financial hub late last year and presented China’s ruling Communist Party with one of its biggest political challenges in decades. Police were deployed inside the council complex overnight, while some roads leading to government buildings were closed.

We hope it can pass smoothly. This is beneficial for Hong Kong’s long-term development.

ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday

Tension has been running high, especially after ten people were arrested this week on suspicion of explosives offences. Six people were charged on Tuesday with conspiracy to cause an explosion. China’s Foreign Ministry said there were “certain people who want to use a series of damaging acts” to disturb the debate. Beijing has strived to lobby the city’s 27 pro-democracy lawmakers to back the blueprint that will allow a direct vote for Hong Kong’s next leader in 2017, but only from pre-screened, pro-Beijing candidates. But these democrats, who hold a crucial one-third veto bloc in the 70-seat Legislative Council, have so far pledged to oppose what they call a “fake” democratic model.