HONG KONG -- Hong Kong people will not be consulted on the territory's upcoming electoral overhaul, which is poised to empower a Beijing-controlled committee to vet candidates for the city's legislature and effectively exclude opposition voices.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said an extensive public consultation, as usually required for major constitutional changes, will not take place ahead of the planned electoral changes due to their "urgency," adding that she is "thankful" for Beijing's effort in "improving" Hong Kong's political system.
