- Title: CHINA-HONG KONG/DEMOCRACY RALLY China rules out full democracy for Hong Kong
- Date: 31st August 2014
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 31, 2014) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, (CENTRE) SPEAKING AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS STANDING BEHIND HIM LEUNG SPEAKING HONG KONG EMBLEM (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING: "Universal suffrage for the CE (Chief Executive) election t
- Embargoed: 15th September 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVASCNF5CBFEQB3R1UJ1UL95KPQ
- Story Text: 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.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) endorsed a framework to let only two or three candidates run in the 2017 leadership vote. All candidates must first obtain majority backing from a nominating committee likely to be stacked with Beijing loyalists.
The relatively tough decision by the NPC - China's final arbiter on the city's democratic affairs - makes it almost impossible for opposition democrats to get on the ballot.
Hong Kong's current chief executive Leung Chun-ying said Beijing's decision represented a major step forward in Hong Kong's development, adding people should express their opinion through peaceful and legal methods.
"Universal suffrage for the CE (Chief Executive) election through one person one vote by Hong Kong, but also a historic milestone for the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) government and I. But also as well as all the people of Hong Kong are obliged to accomplish the task dutifully and implement universal suffrage for the next CE election," he said at a media conference.
Hundreds of "Occupy Central" activists, who demand Beijing allow a real, free election, prepared to stage a small protest late on Sunday to formally launch a campaign of civil disobedience that will climax with a blockade at some time of the city's important Central business district.
Hong Kong operates under a one country, two systems formula after capitalist Hong Kong, with a population of around 7.2 million, was returned to Communist Chinese rule in 1997.
The Occupy movement said in a statement that "all chances of dialogue have been exhausted and the occupation of Central will definitely happen." It gave no timeframe for its action.
"Some officials (Hong Kong representatives to the National People's Congress's Standing Committee) who we don't know how they got chosen in the first place are telling us Hong Kong people, this place is Beijing's turf. Today I have to tell you this is definitely not true. Hong Kong is Hong Kong people's own turf," said Secretary General of the Confederation of Students, Alex Chow.
Political reform has been a constant source of friction between Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and the mainland since Britain returned the city to China 17 years ago.
Some people at the rally were pessimistic about Hong Kong's chances for real democracy.
"Never, never until, until the Chinese government can settle its internal problems. Before it can settle its internal problems no universal suffrage. No real universal suffrage can happen in Hong Kong," said 25-year-old social worker, Tat Wong.
Nevertheless, people felt the need to speak out and be heard.
"Because I think we have to fight back and we have to voice, not really fight back, but at least we have to voice out that we don't agree with the Chinese government's decision. So we have to do something. We have to support, stay together and let them know that what we really want, we want democracy and we want a fair system to protect the environment of Hong Kong," said 26-year-old research assistant Enoch Chiu.
Scores of police vehicles and hundreds of officers were deployed outside Hong Kong government headquarters as people began to gather late on Sunday, braving heavy rain at times, with some chanting slogans.
Key government buildings, including the Chief Executive's office and a People's Liberation Army barracks nearby, were also ringed by high fences and barricades.
Senior Chinese officials have repeatedly warned activists against their "illegal" protests, and say they won't back down.
Some key members of the pro-democracy movement, including media magnate Jimmy Lai, have also come under pressure in the run-up to the Chinese parliamentary decision.
China has also repeatedly warned against foreign interference, saying it will not tolerate the use of Hong Kong "as a bridgehead to subvert and infiltrate the mainland."
The Occupy Central movement has not yet won broad support among Hong Kong's middle class, who are concerned about antagonising China and disruptions to business. Any strong measures by China or the Hong Kong police could change that.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None