Hong Kong leader rules out deviation from China policy on elections
Iran Press TV
Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:31AM
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has stressed that his administration would not deviate from Beijing's policy on elections in the Chinese city.
"Hong Kong's power originates from the central authorities (in Beijing)," Leung said on Wednesday in his first speech to Hong Kong's legislature since street rallies hit the semi-autonomous Chinese city last September.
"Hong Kong's autonomy... is a high degree of autonomy, not an absolute autonomy," he said.
Protests in Hong Kong began last September after China said voters had to choose the region's next chief executive in 2017 from a list of two or three candidates selected by a nominating committee.
The protesters, however, say they would rather have no vote than one in which candidates are restricted, calling for Leung's resignation.
In his Wednesday address, Leung also said that the election "of the chief executive comprises both the elements of election and appointment."
He also questioned the "understanding" of opposition groups of the intricacies of politics in the city.
He added that protesters "should be guided towards a full understanding" of Hong Kong's relationship with Beijing in order to prevent "fruitless" discussions.
Several opposition lawmakers walked out of the legislative council chamber before Leung's speech.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The financial hub has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since 1997, when its leadership returned to China after a century of British colonial rule.
DB/HJL
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