Part of Hong Kong–Mainland China conflict | |
![]() Democracy protesters on 13 January 2008 demanding universal suffrage by 2012 | |
Date | 1952 – ongoing |
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Location | Hong Kong |
Participants | HK Government, HK Legislative Council, pro-democracy camp, people of Hong Kong |
Democracy in Hong Kong | |
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Traditional Chinese | 香港民主運動 |
Simplified Chinese | 香港民主运动 |
Hanyu Pinyin | Xiānggǎng Mínzhǔ Yùndòng |
Bopomofo | ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄤˇ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄩㄣˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ |
Wade–Giles | Hsiang1-kang3 Min2-chu3 Yun4-tung4 |
Tongyong Pinyin | Sianggǎng Mín-jhǔ Yùn-dòng |
IPA | [ɕjáŋ.kàŋ mǐn.ʈʂù ŷn.tʊ̂ŋ] |
Yale Romanization | Hēung góng màhn jyú wahn duhng |
Jyutping | hoeng1 gong2 man4 zyu2 wan6 dung6 |
IPA | [hœŋ˥ kɔŋ˧˥ mɐn˩ tsy˧˥ wɐn˨ tʊŋ˨] |
Democratic reforms in Hong Kong did not seriously begin until 1984 and has faced significant challenges since 2014. The one country, two systems principle allows Hong Kong to enjoy high autonomy in all areas besides foreign relations and defence, which are responsibilities of the central government. Hong Kong's Basic Law allows residents to vote for local district councillors.
Historically, Hong Kong was never an electoral democracy. In 1984, British and Chinese officials held discussions regarding indirect elections to the LegCo, but more comprehensive reforms were forestalled by Beijing until the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. While the number of elected seats has increased, a 2014 NPCSC proposal for direct voting for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017 as long as the candidates are nominated by a committee was feared by critics to be too favourable to Beijing. Disaffected students triggered the ensuing Umbrella or Occupy Movement. Afterwards, democratic development was no longer prioritised by the Hong Kong government.
In the wake of the 2019 anti-government protests and the 2019 District Council election landslide, the National People's Congress of China voted in March 2021 to amend Annex I and II of the Basic Law, overhauling the electoral system in a move widely seen as a further reduction on the influence of the pro-democracy camp.