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.
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...