China slashes number of elected seats in Hong Kong legislature

Hopefuls will be vetted by security officials to exclude 'unpatriotic' elements

20210330 election HK

Hong Kong's government is seeking public support for the overhaul of the special administrative region's parliamentary system by the National People's Congress in Beijing.   © Getty Images

MICHELLE CHAN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Publicly elected representatives will hold just over one-fifth of seats in Hong Kong's next legislature, down from a majority, under constitutional changes adopted in Beijing on Tuesday.

Candidates will also be required to pass two rounds of screening with two national security bodies and a Beijing-controlled committee all vetting hopefuls for patriotism and support for national security before they can face voters.

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