In the summers of 2003 and 2004, hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets here to call for the direct election of Hong Kong’s chief executive and the entire legislature. But the demand was quickly ruled out by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s rubber-stamp parliament. Now, with unexpected support from Beijing, the government here is preparing to move a step closer to fully democratic representation with an election plan to be announced next month.
The proposal involves giving a greater role to neighborhood councilors – most of whom are elected by Hong Kong voters – in choosing the chief executive and 6 of the 70 members of Hong Kong’s legislature, the chairmen of the three main political parties here said in separate interviews.
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