China ruled out allowing open nominations in inaugural elections for
Hong Kong's leader, saying they would create a "chaotic society."
Following the widely expected decision, pro-democracy supporters rallied in a park in front of Hong Kong government headquarters.
Democracy activists said that a long-threatened mass occupation of the heart of the city will definitely happen.
The Chinese legislature's powerful Standing Committee said all candidates should be approved by more than half of a special nominating body in order to go before voters.
That's at odds with demands from Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp, which staged a massive protest in July to press for genuine democracy in the Chinese territory over fears candidates would continue to be screened to assess their loyalty to Beijing.
Hong Kong has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997, when China's communist leaders pledged to allow the city's leader, known as the chief executive, to be eventually elected through "universal suffrage" rather than by the current committee of mostly pro-Beijing tycoons.
Following the widely expected decision, pro-democracy supporters rallied in a park in front of Hong Kong government headquarters.
Democracy activists said that a long-threatened mass occupation of the heart of the city will definitely happen.
The Chinese legislature's powerful Standing Committee said all candidates should be approved by more than half of a special nominating body in order to go before voters.
That's at odds with demands from Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp, which staged a massive protest in July to press for genuine democracy in the Chinese territory over fears candidates would continue to be screened to assess their loyalty to Beijing.
Hong Kong has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997, when China's communist leaders pledged to allow the city's leader, known as the chief executive, to be eventually elected through "universal suffrage" rather than by the current committee of mostly pro-Beijing tycoons.
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