Many young people have expressed their sense of helplessness in the face of a political system in which they have little say. Hong Kong’s leader is not elected by voters but by a committee accountable to Beijing. Only half of the 70-seat legislature is directly elected, while the other 35 seats are occupied by mostly pro-establishment figures from corporate and special interest groups. Moreover, by ejecting six pro-democracy representatives and barring candidates seen as pro-independent from running for elections, the Hong Kong government weakened the pro-democracy camp’s power to block unpopular policies in the legislature.
While vowing to keep up the fight, an older generation of pro-democracy activists worry that the hardline attitude of the authorities will drive their young counterparts to the brink.
While vowing to keep up the fight, an older generation of pro-democracy activists worry that the hardline attitude of the authorities will drive their young counterparts to the brink.
