| China said voters would be allowed to choose between two or three “patriotic” candidates in the upcoming 2017 election. Chinese lawmakers decided on Sunday to deny Hong Kong the ability to freely elect its next leader. China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee instead determined that they would pre-approve candidates that citizens of Hong Kong could then elect. The decision was immediately met with contentious protests by pro-democracy activists. "This decision by the NPC to limit the type and number of candidates for Hong Kong's election is a major setback for the progress of Hong Kong's democracy, and we express regret at this decision," the opposition Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement. Protesters stormed a security checkpoint outside of where a senior NPC member was explaining the decision. Hong Kong police used pepper spray to disperse the protesters. "Since the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is a need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner," the Standing Committee said in their decision. Occupy Central, which has led the movement for democratic elections, said it will employ civil disobedience to paralyze the city's commercial district. “After having lied to Hong Kong people for so many years, it finally revealed itself today,” Alan Leong, a pro-democracy legislator, told The New York Times. “Hong Kong people are right to feel betrayed. It’s certain now that the central government will be effectively appointing Hong Kong’s chief executive.” Students also threatened to boycott classes in protest. Source URL |