China's legislature on Sunday ruled against allowing open nominations
in elections for Hong Kong's leader, saying it would create a "chaotic
society" in a decision that promises to ignite political tensions in the
Asian financial hub.
The legislature's powerful Standing Committee ruled that all candidates for chief executive must receive more than half of the votes from a special nominating body before going before voters.
Hong Kong democracy activists have held massive protests calling for genuine democracy in the Chinese territory over concerns that 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.
Chinese leaders agreed in 2007 that the chief executive would be chosen by "universal suffrage" in 2017, language pro-democracy activists say shows Beijing hasn't kept its promises.
Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the National People's Congress' Standing Committee, told a news conference that openly nominating candidates would create a "chaotic society."
Making clear that Chinese leaders intend to tightly control politics in Hong Kong, Li noted that the chief executive is also the head of China's ruling Communist Party in the city.
The legislature's powerful Standing Committee ruled that all candidates for chief executive must receive more than half of the votes from a special nominating body before going before voters.
Hong Kong democracy activists have held massive protests calling for genuine democracy in the Chinese territory over concerns that 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.
Chinese leaders agreed in 2007 that the chief executive would be chosen by "universal suffrage" in 2017, language pro-democracy activists say shows Beijing hasn't kept its promises.
Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the National People's Congress' Standing Committee, told a news conference that openly nominating candidates would create a "chaotic society."
Making clear that Chinese leaders intend to tightly control politics in Hong Kong, Li noted that the chief executive is also the head of China's ruling Communist Party in the city.
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