PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION LEGISLATIVE ELECTION OF 10 SEPTEMBER 2000 =================================================================== Election to the Legislative Council Sources: Hong Kong government website, Democratic Party website, SCMP.com website INTRODUCTION The People's Republic of China is not a democracy, but its territory includes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which under the terms of the agreement between China and Britain retains its free market system and democratic institutions. The Hong Kong Legislative Council controls most domestic affairs in Hong Kong. The Council is, however, elected in a manner which ensures that members acceptable to the Chinese government will always retain control. Only 23 of its members are elected by geographic constituencies, which vote generally along party lines in the manner of genuine democratic electorates. Another 30 members represent so-called "Functional Constituencies," in which members of various occupational categories may vote. In some of these constituencies votes are cast by organisations rather than individuals. Although some of these constituencies see genuine contests, they are easily manipulated and many see unopposed returns. Finally there are six members elected by a so-called Election Committee, a group of 800 prominent people representing various interests, but appointed in practice by the government (and thus ultimately by the Chinese government) each of whom casts six votes. These members in practice represent the interests of the Chinese governement. Thus only 23 or 59 members of the Council are accountable to a genuinely democratic electorate. The remainder are elected by a form of corporatism, or are appointed by the government under a thin veneer of election.