China has rejected calls for a referendum on direct elections in Hong Kong, Xinhua reported. According to a Reuters report: “China has rejected calls from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers for a public referendum on whether local residents should be allowed full, direct democracy from 2007… Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997. It was promised a high degree of autonomy over its own affairs after the handover, but Beijing has increasingly stamped its authority over the city’s political future in recent months in response to growing calls for more democracy. ”
In April, China ruled out direct elections for Hong Kong’s leaders.
