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Democrats face HK election test HK democrats in heavy poll losses
(1 day later)
Pro-Beijing parties are expected to recover ground against pro-democracy rivals in district council elections in Hong Kong on Sunday. Hong Kong's pro-democracy parties have suffered heavy losses in district council elections, while Beijing-backed groups have made huge gains.
Almost 900 candidates are competing for 364 seats in the vote, seen as an important test ahead of legislative elections next year. Pro-Beijing parties took 115 seats, almost double their showing in the last election in 2003.
It comes amid ongoing reforms aimed at achieving full democracy. The main Democratic Party slumped, winning just 60 seats, down from more than 90 in the last poll.
Pro-Beijing parties are expected to benefit from a strong economy and good organisation at district level. Local officials have little power but the vote is seen as an important test ahead of assembly elections next year.
The Chinese pledged to introduce democratic rule in Hong Kong when they took over the territory from the British in 1997. Democrat Party leader Albert Ho offered his resignation after the result, but his colleagues refused to accept it.
But Beijing has been vague about the timing of reform. "[The party] needs me to stay during this difficult time to stabilise the situation," he said.
'Vague' timing
His opponent, Tam Yiu-chung of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, hailed his party's success as reflecting people's desire for stability.
"Hong Kong people now attach more importance to the society's stability and harmony as well as sustainable economic development," he said.
Analysts say the pro-Beijing parties benefited from a strong economy and good organisation at district level.
Sunday's poll came amid ongoing reforms aimed at achieving full democracy.
China's communist rulers pledged to introduce democratic rule in Hong Kong when they took over the territory from the British in 1997.
But Beijing has been vague about the timing of reforms.
Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators attended a rally in October calling for the right to elect Hong Kong's chief executive and legislature by 2012.Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators attended a rally in October calling for the right to elect Hong Kong's chief executive and legislature by 2012.
Only half of legislative councillors are directly elected, with the other half appointed by Beijing.
But observers say the strength of the pro-democracy movement has waned since their strong performance in the last district council elections in 2003.
Some three million of Hong Kong's seven million citizens are eligible to vote in Sunday's poll.