Big news out of #HongKong: Elections resulted in a landslide victory for pro-democracy politicians in local elections.

The elections were seen as a referendum on Carrie Lam’s handling of the situation in HK, and the message from the voters is clear. https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/hong-kong-voters-deliver-pro-democracy-message-in-de-facto-referendum-20191125-p53dod.html

Many student leaders won in pro-Beijing strongholds, including @tommycheungsy, who we met with last week.

I’ve received a bunch of hopeful messages from contacts in HK. All are waiting for how the HK government will respond to the will of the people.

According to the article above, Lam said in a statement: “The HKSAR Government will listen to the opinions of members of the public humbly and seriously reflect.”

Beijing was more circumspect. China’s foreign minister: “No matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China.”

Of note: these local elections are the only truly democratic elections in HK.

Neither the Chief Executive nor the Legislative Council are elected by the principle of one man, one vote.

Although the elections will increase pressure for democratic reforms, they also signal what would happen to pro-Beijing politicians if those reforms are made.

How Beijing (they’re effectively in control) responds to demands for democracy will signal the next chapter for HK.