Hong Kong local elections to freeze out pro-democracy opposition

Nomination hurdles in effect limit district seats to China-supporting 'patriots'

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said Oct. 25 that the "root causes of the chaos" in the city have yet to be eliminated. © Reuters

KENSAKU IHARA and PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writers

November 2, 2023 22:00 JST

HONG KONG -- Pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong failed to register any nominees for December's district council elections before the deadline Monday, after changes to the system intended to allow only Beijing-aligned "patriots" to run.

Among those shut out was the Democratic Party, the largest opposition party in the Chinese territory. Shortly after the deadline, party chief Lo Kin-hei expressed disappointment that none of its picks were able to run.