A new leader has recently been elected for HK that has been dubbed a 'Beijing Loyalist' that had previously overseen the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the country. It wasn't a majority of people in the region who voted for the individual but rather a committee that has been described as being 'mostly pro-Beijing'.
It has been reported that the new leader is a supporter of the controversial security law and his win wasn't a surprise given he was the only one in the polls.
There have been changes to HK's electoral laws as well, attempts were made to ensure only patriots are going to be allowed to hold office from now on. Only "patriots" will be considered for elections.
The intent of that change was to keep people that seemed unpatriotic from ever being considered for positions of power, this is an effective attempt to make sure that the current regime stays in power and that those who hold contrary ideas aren't able to be given power or a platform to take them further.
The changes are unfortunate to see in a region that has fought passionately for reform in the way of democracy. The world in recent years has seen countless protests happening on the streets in HK, as well as pro-democracy activism taking place online too. The crackdown has been ongoing with pro-democracy activists being targeted and silenced ever since the security law came about and was eventually passed.
Pics:
pixabay
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/beijing-loyalist-john-lee-elected-hong-kongs-leader-rcna27813
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57236775
https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-elections-beijing-hong-kong-f136ce684eaafab980800337dd9ef4c2