Hong Kong’s Democrats Sweep Legislative Election

Critics of Beijing pledged Monday to use a popular mandate to press for more democracy in Hong Kong after final results gave them a sweep in the first election under Chinese rule.

If the high turnout of 53.3% in Sunday’s legislative vote surprised nearly everyone, the results did not.

The Democrats, Hong Kong’s largest party, secured 13 seats on the 60-seat Legislative Council. Together with smaller allies, they wound up with 20 seats, although they garnered the most votes by far.

Only one-third of the 60-member council is directly elected. An additional 30 seats are chosen by professional or corporate groups, and 10 are selected by a small election committee. The result is that pro-China legislators will dominate the body.

The Democrats and their allies said the high turnout--nearly 1.5 million people voted--and the results indicate that Hong Kong is ready for full democracy.

All of the stars of the pro-democracy camp, booted from the legislature July 1, when Britain returned the former colony to China, won back their seats. Martin Lee of the Democratic Party, Emily Lau of the Frontier Party and Christine Loh of the Citizens’ Party will form a strong opposition to Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa.