Hong Kong Elections: Pro-Democracy Groups Makes Big Gains

• 11.25.2019, 11:21
•  Asia,  World

The Insider

Hong Kong's opposition pro-democracy movement has made unprecedented gains in the Chinese territory's district council elections, early results show, BBC reports.

According to local media counts, 17 of the 18 councils are now controlled by pro-democracy councillors.

Despite fears the vote could be disrupted or cancelled over the unrest, it went ahead peacefully.

The election was seen as a test of support for the government after months of unrest, protests and clashes.

The government and Beijing had been hoping the election would bring a show of support from the so-called "silent majority", but that did not materialise. Instead some significant pro-Beijing candidates lost council seats.

One controversial pro-Beijing lawmaker, who lost his seat, Junius Ho, said "heaven and earth have been turned upside down".