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Hong Kong Elections Make Progress
Hong Kong's second legislative elections to determine the make-up of the Legislative Council for the next four years were held September 11.
According to Hong Kong's Basic Law, the Legislative Council is Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's legislative organization. Its 60 legislators are selected through an election every four years.
In this year's legislative election, the number of seats decided by ordinary voters increased from 20 to 24. Six seats are chosen by a committee and the remaining half of the legislative seats are chosen by special interest groups such as businesses, lawyers and doctors.
In the 150 years that England ruled over Hong Kong, the Hong Kong people did not have the right to vote, even in the ten years before Hong Kong returned to China, the elections were held with the approval of the English sovereignty. Hong Kong people had to vote as British "subjects" living in Hong Kong. Today, Hong Kong people are truly their own masters when they vote in the elections.
The public opinion consensus is that Hong Kong people need democracy, but it needs to be gradually implemented in a setting where social stability is guaranteed, otherwise, there will be upheavals. To protect Hong Kong stability and prosperity, the Basic Law has put certain restrictions on Hong Kong's electoral system, but will gradually increase the number of seats chosen directly by the people until all seats are directly chosen by the people.
Hong Kong's economy is now beginning to recover. To protect Hong Kong's prosperity and the course of Hong Kong's economic recovery, there needs to be a more stable environment and more candidates who truly want to serve the people run for office. Like Hong Kong Financial Secretary Donald Tsang said after he voted, after the financial crisis, the people all know that every Hong Kong person's lifestyle is closely linked with the economy. But the economy and politics are inseparable. So, in addition to making money, Hong Kong needs civil servants and legislators that serve Hong Kong with their whole heart.
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