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Universal suffrage in Hong Kong

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Universal suffrage in Hong Kong
According to a National People's Congress Standing Committee resolution in 2007, Hong Kong's chief executive may be elected by universal suffrage. Pan-democratic lawmakers and pro-democracy activists in the city vehemently opposed an election framework passed by Beijing on August 31, 2014, arguing it failed to reach international standards for a truly democratic and open election.
Members of the Democratic Party celebrate Legco election success in 1998. Photo: Robert Ng
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From being largest opposition party, it can now barely raise funds as it struggles to stay relevant in post-national security law era, leaders admit.

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Opinion | Hong Kong is ready to have one person, one vote for chief executive

One way to help Hong Kong endure and thrive in this era of uncertainty is to further reform elections and have universal suffrage in voting for chief executive. Doing so would give the government broader representation, a stronger mandate and the ability to enact measures hindered by entrenched interest groups.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second right) looks on as Electoral Affairs Commission members empty a ballot box in the counting station for the district council election at Queen’s College in Causeway Bay on December 11, 2023. Photo: Dickson Lee
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Letters | Why UK should treasure chance to interact with Hong Kong legislators

Readers discuss the UK’s branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association withdrawing an invite to Hong Kong legislators, and the US extending ‘safe haven’ status to Hongkongers.

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Hong Kong at 25

Opinion | Hong Kong’s ‘new chapter’ under John Lee calls for reflecting on past

People would welcome a fresh start, but we must acknowledge it has not been an easy journey since 1997. The changes of recent years, including the introduction of the national security law and political reform, have created uncertainty about the future.

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HK CE election 2022

Opinion | How John Lee can raise the bar for Hong Kong

Chief executive candidate John Lee has promised ‘results-oriented’ leadership and vowed to build a more competitive and politically stable city if he is elected. To deliver, he would need to make government ministers more accountable, encourage integration with the Greater Bay Area, and take steps towards universal suffrage.

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Illustration: Stephen Case
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Opinion | Hong Kong must wake up from its blind faith in universal suffrage

In its search for the best governance model, China has come to prize social stability as a prerequisite for the good life. Meanwhile, Hong Kong should open its eyes to evidence that democratic elections elsewhere have not delivered the good governance people crave.

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Hong Kong politics

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The group of Hongkongers who championed democracy without regard to the Basic Law and the underlying concept of ‘one country, two systems’ cannot be seen as patriots.

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Unpacking the white paper on ‘Hong Kong democracy’

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An official from the Chinese foreign ministry gives a briefing on the white paper in Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee
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Anti-democracy US is ‘plagued’ with social problems, Hong Kong official says

US-style democracy is undermined by high levels of violent crime, drug abuse and racism, John Lee says.

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Beijing and Hong Kong officials have accused the US of trying to impose its version of democracy on others. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong electoral changes

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It was not until Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty that its democratic development truly began. With Beijing’s support, Hong Kong is developing a democratic system that suits its circumstances.

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Hong Kong Legco election 2021

How serious is Beijing about universal suffrage in Hong Kong?

Only non-establishment candidate to win Legco seat in Sunday’s poll among those saying Beijing white paper is positive step towards full democracy.

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Hong Kong Legco election 2021

Letters | Legco election: Hongkongers must speak up through the ballot box

Readers discuss the first election post-reform, slam a Shanxi school for focusing on pupil backgrounds, note lessons from warring Scandinavia and Europe for today’s leaders, call for Covid-19 to be made a priority into next year, and suggest a theme song for G20 talks.

Banners on the Legislative Council nomination period are seen outside the central government offices in Admiralty on November 9. Photo: Nora Tam
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Letters | Hongkongers moving to Canada for democracy are in for a shock

Readers discuss the poor choice of candidates in Canadian elections, a proposed law to ban alternative smoking products, the rise in myopia among children amid the pandemic, and television coverage of the Paralympics.

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Friends and relatives take photos before boarding a London-bound flight at Hong Kong airport on August 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong electoral changes

Opinion | Order! Order! What to expect from elections for a reformed legislature

Understandably, Beijing lost patience with lawmakers’ antics that left Legco unable to function, but the pendulum on political reform has swung too far. Order will be restored, but killing hope for the future is not good for stability in the longer term.

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Hong Kong protests

Shades Off | A ‘colour revolution’ in Hong Kong or peaceful protests hijacked by radicals?

To represent the movement that brought thousands to the streets seeking justice as an attempt to wrest power from the authorities is to ignore reality. In the current political climate, poorly defined national security red lines can easily be abused.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Let’s rebuild Hong Kong society, and put people’s happiness first

Restructuring Hong Kong could be disruptive, but the city can afford to take some short-term pain for long-term gain. The entrenched elite fail to see that a rejuvenated Hong Kong would achieve new heights of prosperity.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US Politics

Opinion | Is democracy in decline, retreat or under siege? More a work in progress

Democracy depends on the quality of institutions. It alone does not ensure that the government will be any better in delivering outcomes than any other arrangement, such as autocracy.

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Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Beijing is sincere about ‘one country, two systems’, just not infinitely tolerant

For 23 years since the handover, pan-democrats have freely criticised Beijing. The central government intervened when the opposition crossed a red line, but does not want to destroy Hong Kong.

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Opinion | Criticism of Hong Kong electoral reforms has no legal grounds

The revamp is aimed at synthesising a new democratic electoral system best suited to Hong Kong’s actual situation and with Hong Kong characteristics. The ultimate aim of universal suffrage, as promised in the Basic Law, remains unchanged.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong electoral changes

Letters | Why I support Hong Kong’s return to ‘democratic elitism’

Beijing’s electoral reforms take Hong Kong back to the system that worked so well in colonial times, with everyone free to criticise the government but only outstanding individuals allowed to govern

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor receives her second vaccination dose at the government headquarters in Admiralty on March 22. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Hong Kong political reform

Opinion | Hong Kong election reform: Beijing demands loyalty because trust is lacking

Hong Kong’s pursuit of democracy has ended up in this sorry state because the opposition failed to build trust with Beijing. Only when loyalty is not in dispute can Hong Kong create a space for democratic experiments.

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Hong Kong political reform

Opinion | In patriot-governed Hong Kong, ‘one country, two systems’ is assured

Beijing’s decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system will ensure its stability and the healthy development of democracy.

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Hong Kong Basic Law

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A protester holds up five fingers symbolising the movement’s five demands, including universal suffrage, during the annual New Year’s Day pro-democracy march, in Causeway Bay on January 1, 2020. Photo: Sam Tsang
Coronavirus pandemic

Opinion | Debate over chief executive election is missing the point

Hong Kong should keep the practice of electing its leader, even if it is by a small committee, in view of its inherited mix of Western political values and Chinese cultural norms. But a leader’s performance is not contingent on how he or she is selected.

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Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor celebrates after winning the Hong Kong chief executive election in March 2017, after receiving 777 of the 1,194 votes cast. However a leader is chosen, what truly matters is the extent to which he or she is responsive to people’s needs, especially the most disenfranchised. Photo: Robert Ng
Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Why I still have faith in Hong Kong after all the turmoil

A sustained belief in democratic and liberal institutions continues to distinguish Hong Kong from the rest of China, regardless of assimilation efforts.

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Hong Kong protests

Letters | Before asking for democracy, we must live up to its values

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