Occupy Central
Occupy Central is a civil disobedience movement which began in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. It calls on thousands of protesters to block roads and paralyse Hong Kong's financial district if the Beijing and Hong Kong governments do not agree to implement universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017 and the Legislative Council elections in 2020 according to "international standards." The movement was initiated by Benny Tai Yiu-ting (戴耀廷), an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, in January 2013.
Umbrella Movement
The Umbrella Movement (Chinese: 雨傘運動; pinyin: yǔsǎn yùndòng) is a loose political movement that was created spontaneously during the Hong Kong protests of 2014. Its name derives from the recognition of the umbrella as a symbol of defiance and resistance against the Hong Kong government, and the united grass-roots objection to the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) of 31 August.
The movement consists of individuals numbering in the tens of thousands who participated in the protests that began on 28 September 2014, although Scholarism, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, Occupy Central with Love and Peace, groups are principally driving the demands for the rescission of the NPCSC decision.
The movement consists of individuals numbering in the tens of thousands who participated in the protests that began on 28 September 2014, although Scholarism, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, Occupy Central with Love and Peace, groups are principally driving the demands for the rescission of the NPCSC decision.
POST OCCUPY CENTRAL - DAY 128:
Full coverage of the day’s events on 22-04
Pro-democracy legislators display a banner that reads "I want universal suffrage" in Hong Kong's Legislative Council as pro-Beijing lawmakers look on. Photo: Bloomberg
Pan-democrats must shed ‘pocket it first’ electoral illusions
Some members of the pan-democratic camp think Hongkongers should accept the proposal that has been laid out by Beijing on the 2017 chief executive election before seeking an improvement later.
So, as they say, should we “pocket it first”?
Before we make a decision, there are two fundamental questions that we must answer.
First, can a fake election eventually lead to a genuine one?
Yes, but rarely. If the regime is willing to reform, it could happen. But based on real-life examples, we see that undemocratic elections typically stay undemocratic. We can see plenty of such cases, including the mainland, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba and so on.
For decades, there has hardly been any improvement in elections in these places to incorporate more democratic elements.
The second question is, will a fake election do any good to the public and the society as a whole?
As the election is undemocratic, some talented and genuinely representative candidates are cast out and results from such elections are usually worse than what a genuine one can deliver, as what always come along with a fake vote are censorship, “blackbox” operation, transfer of benefits and so on.
As Beijing has repeatedly rejected requests to officially pledge that it will improve the system for future elections, we know that once the current bill gets passed, election methods can only become more conservative, let alone improve.
Looking at the way, Beijing has treated the Basic Law and its many promises during the 18 years since the handover, we all know what will happen to the election bill.
When genuine universal suffrage is not a possibility, the pan-democratic camp really ought to shed its illusions.
The group would be better off if it remains steadfast and rejects the bill using its critical voting power.
This article appeared in the Hong Kong Economic Journal on April 16.
Translation by Frank Chen
Coconuts
Hong Kong government set to reveal election roadmap
Protesters unfurl a banner for "real universal suffrage" on Oct. 28, 2014, exactly a month after police fired tear gas on demonstrators. (Photo: Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media)
Hong Kong's government is expected today to reveal its final framework for controversial leadership elections, predicted to stick to tight restrictions from Beijing which sparked last year's mass protests.
Last August, China decided that candidates for the city's chief executive should be nominated by a loyalist committee, ahead of a public vote.
Hong Kong's number-two official Carrie Lam will present the final proposed roadmap for how the 2017 leadership election is to be held to the legislature this morning, lawmakers told AFP.
Lam and city leader Leung Chun-ying scheduled a press briefing at 10am.
Local media splashed the anticipated announcement across their front pages Wednesday, with the SCMP calling it "D-day for Hong Kong".
The 2017 election is set to be the first-ever public vote for the city's leader – currently the chief executive is selected by a 1,200-strong committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists.
Activists have branded any election that adheres to Beijing's framework – universal suffrage based on pre-selected candidates – "fake democracy".
However, Hong Kong's leadership has consistently said that it cannot deviate from the ruling last August by China's National People's Congress.
Analysts say Wednesday's proposal will not challenge those restrictions.
"It's likely to be disappointing for those who would like a genuine democracy in Hong Kong because it's very likely to follow strictly the NPC Standing Committee decision," said Surya Deva, an associate professor at the City University of Hong Kong's law department.
The proposal will be voted on by legislators in the coming months, with pro-democracy lawmakers vowing to block it.
"The government will try their best to get the support of all lawmakers, especially the pro-democracy lawmakers," Carrie Lam said Tuesday.
"We will persevere until the final minute."
CY Leung hails 'historic' roadmap for elections
Protesters in Admiralty on Oct. 28, 2014. (Photo: Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media)
Chief Executive CY Leung confirmed that the plan for how the election in 2017 will be held would be presented to the legislature this morning, saying it was a step towards the "historic goal" of a public vote for leader.
"Today the government will announce the report and the plan for the chief executive election so that Hong Kong can to take one more step towards this historic goal," he told reporters.
"The one person, one vote, to allow five million people to choose the chief executive, is the collective wish of Chinese authorities, myself and the Hong Kong people."
Leung called for support for the proposal from the public and legislators – pro-democracy lawmakers have threatened to block the plan when it goes to a vote in the legislature in the coming months.
He said the government was "confident" the plan would be passed, despite the vocal opposition, and dismissed demands to go against Beijing's framework as not "grounded in reality".
The government has been criticised for failing to accurately reflect opposition to Beijing's restrictions to the central authorities.
But Leung insisted that the views of residents and lawmakers had been "fully and truthfully" communicated.
Hong Kong government unveils vote plan, no concessions to pro-democracy activists
The government today announced a roadmap for leadership elections that offered no concessions to the city's democracy camp – prompting opposition lawmakers to walk out as the plan was unveiled.
Deputy leader Carrie Lam said the first-ever public vote for the post of chief executive in 2017 would be held in "strict compliance" with a ruling by China's National People's Congress last August.
That ruling stated that candidates for chief executive must first be approved by a loyalist committee – a decision that sparked the Umbrella Movement.
Lam said that voters in 2017 would choose from two to three candidates chosen by a 1,200-strong nominating committee.
That committee would reflect the current make-up of the pro-Beijing election committee, which up until now has chosen the city's leader, she said.
"These proposals are in strict compliance with the Basic Law (Hong Kong's constitution) and the relevant decisions of (China's) Standing Committee of the National People's Congress," Lam said.
"At the same time they fully take into account the views expressed by various sectors of the community," she added.
Lam described constitutional development as "complex and controversial".
"It is neither practicable nor realistic to expect that one package of proposals can meet the ideals cherished by different people," she said, adding that the plan had attempted to strike a balance between "numerous divergent requests and perspectives".
Most pro-democracy legislators marched out of the chamber following Lam's speech.
"The pan-democrats would like to condemn strongly the government," said Civic Party lawmaker Alan Leong, one of those who walked out.
"We will launch a campaign to oppose the proposal and we will ask the Hong Kong public to continue to seek true universal suffrage," he added.
Pro-democracy lawmakers wore T-shirts and displayed placards emblazoned with a yellow "X", symbolising their intention to block the proposal when it comes to the vote in the legislature in the coming months.
Lam argued that blocking the plan would deprive the public of their chance to vote.
She called on legislators to cooperate and described the proposal as "lawful, fair and reasonable".
"This is a call made on you by this era, and it is history which places this responsibility on your shoulders," she said.
Protesters gathered outside the government complex with pro-democracy demonstrators calling for "true universal suffrage" and carrying yellow umbrellas – a symbol of the movement.
They were met with pro-government protesters waving large Chinese national flags.
Dozens of police were patrolling the area outside the government complex, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
A police spokesman refused to comment on whether extra security measures were being taken in the wake of the announcement.
The legislature is reported to be stepping up security at government headquarters from May 1 after protesters smashed windows there twice last year and stormed the building.
Measures include extra security checks, roller shutters and metal barricades, the SCMP reported.
Clashes erupt at CY’s first public appearance since election proposals announced
Chaos erupted yesterday at the government's first in-community promotion of its reform plan, as a speech by Chief Executive CY Leung was disrupted by pro-democracy activists.
Leung left the event under heavy police protection after just 20 minutes.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam, went to Mei Foo to promote the controversial proposal for universal suffrage in the 2017 chief executive election.
It was formally announcement at the Legislative Council earlier in the day.
CY Leung, who was not on the list of participating speakers, appeared unannounced to give support. He called the proposal a big step in realising the city's desire for genuine suffrage.
Despite having previously commented that "a district visit has never been a problem for me”, the chief exec found his speech was met by fierce opposition by protesters at the site.
While some community members chanted their support for the proposal, others countered with slogans such as “Step down, CY Leung" and "I want genuine universal suffrage", reports Apple Daily.
Yellow umbrellas, a symbol of last year’s so-called Umbrella Movement, were also unfurled.
The chief executive left the scene after less than 20 minutes. Clashes erupted and Leung was escorted to his vehicle under heavy police protection. Many reporters were pushed to the ground amid the chaos, with one RTHK journalist suffering cuts on his hands.
Leung, nicknamed 689 by his critics in reference to the amount of votes he obtained in the previous election, issued a statement today criticising the protesters as "undemocratic" and "covering others' opinion with their voice".
He urged for tolerance and "a spirit of democracy", adding that he is "open for dialogue with different views" and wishes to implement the election proposal.
The government's proposal for the 2017 chief executive election involves two rounds of pre-selection by the nominating committee. Hopefuls must obtain at least 601 out of a possible 1,200 endorsements from the committee, widely seen as pro-Beijing, in order to quality as candidates.
Once the candidates are vetted, the election will open to five million qualified voters and would be held on first past the post basis. A majority vote is unnecessary to win and blank ballots will be counted as invalid.
Leung left the event under heavy police protection after just 20 minutes.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam, went to Mei Foo to promote the controversial proposal for universal suffrage in the 2017 chief executive election.
It was formally announcement at the Legislative Council earlier in the day.
CY Leung, who was not on the list of participating speakers, appeared unannounced to give support. He called the proposal a big step in realising the city's desire for genuine suffrage.
Despite having previously commented that "a district visit has never been a problem for me”, the chief exec found his speech was met by fierce opposition by protesters at the site.
While some community members chanted their support for the proposal, others countered with slogans such as “Step down, CY Leung" and "I want genuine universal suffrage", reports Apple Daily.
Yellow umbrellas, a symbol of last year’s so-called Umbrella Movement, were also unfurled.
The chief executive left the scene after less than 20 minutes. Clashes erupted and Leung was escorted to his vehicle under heavy police protection. Many reporters were pushed to the ground amid the chaos, with one RTHK journalist suffering cuts on his hands.
Leung, nicknamed 689 by his critics in reference to the amount of votes he obtained in the previous election, issued a statement today criticising the protesters as "undemocratic" and "covering others' opinion with their voice".
He urged for tolerance and "a spirit of democracy", adding that he is "open for dialogue with different views" and wishes to implement the election proposal.
The government's proposal for the 2017 chief executive election involves two rounds of pre-selection by the nominating committee. Hopefuls must obtain at least 601 out of a possible 1,200 endorsements from the committee, widely seen as pro-Beijing, in order to quality as candidates.
Once the candidates are vetted, the election will open to five million qualified voters and would be held on first past the post basis. A majority vote is unnecessary to win and blank ballots will be counted as invalid.
CY Leung attacks 'uncivilised' critics
CY Leung getting swarmed yesterday in Mei Foo. (Photo: Screenshot from video)
Hong Kong’s chief executive hit back at “uncivilised” critics today after he was booed and heckled by local residents as he tried to promote a newly unveiled, Beijing-backed plan for leadership elections in 2017.
The roadmap for the city’s first ever public vote for its chief executive was announced yesterday. It conforms to a Beijing's August ruling stipulating that candidates must be pre-screened by a loyalist committee
The government kicked off a promotional campaign to sell the plan after its launch but the chief executive and his deputy, Carrie Lam, were drowned out by protesters as they visited a middle-class district late yesterday.
“Yesterday during the district visit… there were some hecklers who kept using loud voices and quite uncivilised words to try to speak over others,” Leung told reporters today.
“It’s not democratic behaviour,” he said. “We don’t want to see such scenes at every district visit.”
Protesters booed Leung and Lam and blocked their path with yellow umbrellas, a symbol of the democracy movement.
The election proposal triggered a backlash from pro-democracy lawmakers and student leaders, and was slammed by Human Rights Watch, which described it as a “betrayal”.
Government ‘betrayal’
Currently the city’s leader is chosen by a 1,200-strong election committee.
Beijing has promised universal suffrage for the 2017 vote, but has said that candidates must be approved first by a nominating committee.
The constitutional reform package is “legal, feasible, rational and practical”, China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said on Wednesday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“The central government consistently supports efforts to advance the democratic development” in Hong Kong, it added.
But pro-democracy lawmakers have vowed to block the roadmap when it goes to a vote in Hong Kong’s legislature in the coming months.
Civic Party legislator Kwok Ka-ki called the government “irresponsible” and said that the reform package “in no way” gave the Hong Kong people a real choice.
“We will be very cautious in making sure the people can get the real message instead of receiving a lot of fake messages and lies told by the government,” he told AFP, saying that the opposition campaign would launch Sunday.
Sophie Richardson, China director for Human Rights Watch, described the election plan as an “utter capitulation to Beijing” and a “betrayal of democratic aspirations in Hong Kong”.
“The right to vote and the right to stand for election are fundamental human rights,” she said.
“That the Hong Kong authorities are denying half that equation is a rejection of international law and of the promise of democracy for the citizens there.”
Human Rights Watch said the screening of candidates would violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
But justice secretary Rimsky Yuen accused the city’s democracy camp of depriving Hong Kong citizens of a chance to vote by trying to block the bill today.
“It’s not they who are the only sector in the Hong Kong community that we need to take into account,” he said.
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