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Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by salty_biscuits on Sunday April 28, 2019 @05:29PM (#19773819)
I didn't think Hong Kong was particularly democratic. Free market but doesn't it have system where the electorate votes for some seats and business interests vote for others?
Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by FabHK on Sunday April 28, 2019 @10:57PM (#19775483)
Yes, basically (35 seats for "geographical constituencies", ie districts, and 35 seats for "functional constituencies", ie industries and the like).

The opposition used to get enough seats to hold the pro-Beijing camp in check somewhat (with veto power on constitutional reforms), but after the (entertaining, but ex post unfortunate) oath-taking controversy [1] in 2016, six members-elect were disqualified, after Beijing "interpreted" the Basic Law of Hong Kong to "clarify" it (as it is entitled to do under the Basic Law).

Now the one-thirds minority to block constitutional changes is gone.

EDIT to add: Still, it's much too democratic for China!

[1] Among the antics: legislators held a "Hong Kong is not China" banner, mispronounced "People's Republic of China" as "people's re-fucking of Chee-na" (the latter a derogatory term), and spent about ten minutes reading the 80-word oath in extreme slow motion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Legislative_Council_...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9rDqvSP4AY

https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/03/11/pledging-allegiance-be...

Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by salty_biscuits on Monday April 29, 2019 @12:06AM (#19775751)
Wow, watching the video that is a strong protest! Thanks for the clarification.
Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by hadrien01 on Sunday April 28, 2019 @06:35PM (#19774157)
The city of London has the same voting system (sort of)
Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by jackvalentine on Sunday April 28, 2019 @07:51PM (#19774654)
Same with the City of Melbourne - I worked for a small company there and got to cast our two votes in the council elections.
Re:Thousands take to Hong Kong streets to protest new extrad... by bobthepanda on Sunday April 28, 2019 @08:52PM (#19774963)
The fact that there‘s any independent political parties responding to citizen concerns is the destabilizing factor.