Democrats Lose Seats But Retain Veto Power in Hong Kong Elections

Hong Kong's pro-democracy politicians have confounded predictions by holding on to their veto power on major laws, despite losing three seats in yesterday's legislative elections.

Many people had expected the democratic parties to suffer badly at the four-yearly polls, with surveys indicating growing Chinese patriotism and a growing focus on economic concerns rather than political freedoms.

Instead, democrats claimed 23 of 60 seats on the legislative council, making gains in the 30 directly-elected seats. The other half are chosen by special interest groups such as business people, who tend to vote for pro-Beijing candidates.

Only around 45% of registered voters took part - the second-lowest turnout since the former British colony returned to Chinese hands in 1997.

Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" agreement offers greater political and economic freedoms and describes universal suffrage as its "ultimate aim". Beijing last year took heat out of the democracy debate by saying that the territory could elect its own leader from 2017 and all of its legislators from 2020, at the earliest. At present the chief executive is elected by a committee dominated by pro-Beijing figures.

Pro-democracy candidates said last night's results sent an important message to the mainland.

"Hong Kong people still have the aspiration for full democracy," said Alan Leong, a member of the opposition Civic party who was re-elected. "Those in power can't afford to ignore it."

Tsang Yok-sing of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong acknowledged: "It is short of our expectation. We'll seriously review what we did wrong."

The 2004 vote coincided with widespread anger at the territory's Beijing-picked chief executive - subsequently ousted - and proposed national security legislation.

Professor David Zweig of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said people had continued to vote for the pan-democratic camp at a much higher level than anticipated this time.

"Overall, people want both democracy and a good relationship with the mainland. The Civic party did better than the Democratic party because they aren't seen as opponents [of Beijing]," he said.

"People feel more positive about the mainland. You have the Olympics and surveys showing people see themselves as Chinese as much as Hong Kong."Political analyst Ma Ngok of Chinese University said the democrats' performance in directly elected seats might boost their bargaining power with the government.

About 1.52 million people, or about 45% of registered voters, cast ballots yesterday, compared to 56% in 2004. Only around half of Hong Kong residents are registered to vote.