Hong Kong leaders select powerful ‘patriots only’ committee

Hong Kong’s political elite have begun the process to select the powerful committee that will ultimately choose the city-state’s next leader

5,000 Hong Kong residents are part of the group who began voting on Sunday for the election committee candidates.

The city’s ruling class is voting for a 1,500 seat Election Committee and in December, this committee will appoint 40 of the city’s 90 legislators

In 2021, the group will then pick Hong Kong’s next Beijing-approved leader. 

This election is the first since Beijing implemented major changes to the city’s electoral system , ensuring only Chinese patriots would be eligible to gain a position of power.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam says “the whole objective of improving the electoral system is to ensure patriots administer Hong Kong”.

Lam continued saying: “I doubt very much that another government or country will allow the public election of people whose mission is to undermine the national interest.”