20140611 BBC_China media: White paper on Hong Kong

Media in China give full support to an official document reaffirming total control over Hong Kong, while papers in the special administrative region express pessimism over the future.

The Chinese central government released a white paper on Tuesday reiterating that the "one country, two systems" practice in Hong Kong was "a basic state policy".

The former British colony became a special administrative region of China in 1997, when Britain's 99-year lease of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong island, expired.

Hong Kong is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover.

However, the white paper says the Beijing government has "comprehensive jurisdiction" over Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

"As a unitary state, China's central government has comprehensive jurisdiction over all local administrative regions, including the HKSAR," it adds.

Supporting the white paper, the People's Daily reminds that "patriotism to the country" should be important for Hong Kong's residents.

"Hong Kong can maintain prosperity and stability for a long time only when the policy of 'one-country, two systems' is fully understood and implemented," it says.

The Global Times' Chinese edition warns that the central government will not allow chaos in Hong Kong and it has "a lot of resources and leverage" to prevent such situation to take place.

"The oppositions in Hong Kong should understand and accept that Hong Kong is not an independent country. They should not think that they have the ability to turn Hong Kong into Ukraine or Thailand," it says.

'Turning point'

Meanwhile, media outlets in Hong Kong are less optimistic over the state of democracy and political freedom.

The South China Morning Post notes that the white paper was released about two weeks before pro-democracy Occupy Central activists hold an unofficial referendum on options for the Chief Executive election in 2017.

The organiser of Occupy Central, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, tells the daily that Beijing is "trying to scare Hong Kongers into silence".

The Ming Pao daily says that the "one-country two-system" concept has become an "empty shell" and Hong Kong is likely to turn into an "ordinary Chinese city".

"Hong Kong has arrived at a historical turning point once again, but this time we are unable to see any positive element in it. Negative points are too many to record. The situation is worrying," it says.

Elsewhere, papers support China's decision to distribute a document outlining its historical claims in the South China Sea region at the UN.

Wang Xiaopeng, maritime expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, tells the Xinhua News agency that Vietnam had sent similar documents to the UN and China has only "reciprocated". 　　

"This is also to show countries such as the US, Japan and the Philippines that they have no opportunity to take advantage of the dispute between China and Vietnam," he says.

20140630 BBC_Why did Hong Kong hold unofficial democracy referendum?

Banners have been put up around Hong Kong urging people to vote

Hundreds of thousands in Hong Kong have voted in an unofficial referendum on the city's democratic development, which is not recognised by the local or Chinese governments. The BBC examines the reasons behind the ballot.

What's driving the vote?

Pro-democracy campaigners want Hong Kong people to be able to elect their leader.

The Chinese government has promised direct elections for the leader, known as the chief executive, by 2017.

However, voters will only have a choice from a list of candidates selected by a nominating committee, and Beijing has said all candidates must be "patriotic".

Activists fear China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.

A pro-democracy group called Occupy Central organised the unofficial referendum which was held from 20 to 29 June. Voters were asked to choose among three proposals for the 2017 election, all of which involve allowing citizens to choose who to nominate as a candidate.

A total of 792,808 voters cast their ballots online and at polling stations.

Hong Kong residents could vote in polling stations or online

Is that a high turnout?

The turnout has exceeded expectations - more than one in five voters took part. Organisers had previously said they would be happy with 100,000 votes. Hong Kong has seven million residents.

Experts say turnout may have been boosted by a recent white paper in China that appeared to emphasise its authority over Hong Kong, and news of a cyber attack on the official voting site.

What is Hong Kong's relationship with China?

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.

China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.

As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.

How is Hong Kong's leader currently elected?

The chief executive is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the representatives are viewed as pro-Beijing.

Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, says that "the ultimate aim" is to elect the chief executive "by universal suffrage", but the candidates would need to be nominated by "a broadly representative nominating committee".

What does China say?

China has indicated it will not budge, and has called the unofficial vote a "farce".

In its June 2014 white paper, China said some have a "confused and lopsided" understanding of the "one country, two systems" model.

It stressed that while Hong Kong has a "high degree of autonomy", it is "not full autonomy". China still has "comprehensive jurisdiction" over the city.

The white paper sparked criticism in Hong Kong, with some interpreting the document as China asserting its authority over the city.

The Hong Kong Bar Association, which represents the city's barristers, expressed concerns that the white paper threatened the judiciary's independence.

What is the Hong Kong government's stand?

The Hong Kong government has said Occupy Central's referendum has no legal standing.

It has welcomed the Chinese government's white paper, saying that Hong Kong has benefited from the "one country, two systems" model since the handover.

Hong Kong's current chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, is viewed widely by locals as a Beijing loyalist.

Is all of Hong Kong united against China?

Not quite. A group called the Silent Majority for Hong Kong has criticised Occupy Central for "endangering Hong Kong", while another called Caring Hong Kong Power says the referendum is "illegal".

Business leaders have also opposed the protests.

A recent survey by Hong Kong University showed more Hong Kong residents view China positively than negatively.

Pro-China legislators have argued that Beijing's proposals are an improvement on the current system.

Meanwhile some moderates within the pro-democracy camp have criticised Occupy Central for giving voters too few choices, which could turn off residents who do not want confrontation with China.

Critics of the referendum point out that Hong Kong law requires a nominating committee to pick the candidates.

Occupy Central is one of several pro-democracy groups pushing for electoral reform in Hong Kong

What happens next?

Occupy Central has warned that if the Hong Kong government does not come up with a proposal for the 2017 election that meets international standards for democracy, it will mobilise 10,000 people for a sit-in protest in the city's financial district.

The Hong Kong government, which had earlier held a consultation on electoral reform, is expected to release its plans for the election later this year.

Businesses have expressed concern, saying the protest could deal a blow to the economic development of Hong Kong and the mainland.

20140630 BBC_Hong Kong democracy 'referendum' draws nearly 800,000

A total of 792,808 voters took part in an unofficial referendum on universal suffrage in Hong Kong, organisers said.

The 10-day poll was held by protest group Occupy Central.

Campaigners want the public to be able to elect Hong Kong's leader, the chief executive. The Hong Kong government says the vote has no legal standing.

About 42% of voters backed a proposal allowing the public, a nominating committee, and political parties to name candidates for the top job.

Beijing has pledged that the Hong Kong public can directly choose its chief executive in the 2017 election, but only from a list of candidates selected by a nominating committee.

Activists fear China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.

Occupy Central organised the vote for the public to decide which of three proposals - all of which involve allowing citizens to directly nominate candidates - to present to the Beijing government.

The winning proposal, put forth by the Alliance for True Democracy, allows candidates to be nominated by 35,000 registered voters, or by any political party which secured at least 5% of the vote in the last election for Hong Kong's legislative committee.

The proposal also allows a nominating committee to name candidates, and the formation of this committee should be "as democratic as it can be", reported the South China Morning Post.

Supporters of the referendum have been urging Hong Kong residents to vote in the unofficial poll

The voting, in polling stations or on the popvote.hk website, began on 20 June. The deadline was originally set for 22 June, but was later extended after what organisers claimed were several cyber attacks on the website.

Popvote.hk was designed by the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to measure support for Occupy Central's campaign.

'Critical juncture'

Chen Jianmin, sociology professor at the University of Hong Kong and one of the founders of Occupy Central, praised the turnout and declared the referendum a success.

"It is very unexpected. It is a very encouraging sign," he said.

"I believe that people feel that our autonomy has been threatened and is going to be threatened even more by Beijing. People feel outrageous [sic outraged] and so they want to make their voice heard."

Hong Kong residents had several days to cast their ballots in the unofficial poll

The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says the large turnout - about one in five registered voters - sends a strong message that a significant part of the Hong Kong public is unhappy with the Chinese government's plans for reform.

Pro-Beijing groups have opposed the referendum, with one group marching through the Causeway Bay district with orange balloons urging people not to vote and handing a petition with 30,000 signatures to police.

The vote is seen as a prelude to a campaign of dissent that could shut down Hong Kong's financial district, our correspondent adds.

Prof Chen said the protests could turn violent.

"We have been witnessing more and more physical confrontation during protests and I believe that more young people are willing to go to jail or even to confront the police and the government with their own bodies," he said.

"As a professor, as a parent we want to protect our young generation, that's why we believe we are now in a very critical juncture of our history."

Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.

China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.

As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.

The other two proposals in the referendum allowed only the public and a nominating committee to name candidates.Jump media player

Media player help

20140701 BBC_Hong Kong crowds rally for democracy

The demonstration brought large parts of Hong Kong to a standstill

Tens of thousands of protesters are taking part in what organisers say could be Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy rally in more than a decade.

The annual rally, marking the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, is to demand full electoral freedom.

It comes after an unofficial referendum on how to choose Hong Kong's next chief executive drew close to 800,000 votes.

China says it will introduce universal suffrage for the 2017 vote - but wants the final say over who can run.

The Hong Kong government said the 10-day referendum had no legal standing.

Jump media player

Media player help

Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

Organisers are hoping more than half a million people will attend, as Juliana Liu reports

Organisers expect more than half a million people to join the rally from Victoria Park to the city's Central district. Roads around the park were closed off and footage showed key roads jammed with marchers.

Several campaign groups have also indicated that they will stage peaceful overnight vigils after the march, which kicked off at 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT).

Reports said protesters were still in the park as the first marchers arrived in Central four hours later, giving an idea of the scale of the rally.

A rally in 2003 drew half a million people, who demonstrated against proposed anti-subversion laws which were later scrapped.

Activists called for greater democracy in Hong Kong

Protesters filled Victoria Park, where the march began

The rally comes days after 800,000 people voted in an unofficial referendum on universal suffrage

Security was expected to be tight, with around 4,000 police officers on patrol.

'Stability, prosperity'

Speaking earlier at a ceremony to mark the 17th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China, Hong Kong leader CY Leung said that the government was trying hard to forge a consensus on political reform.

"Only by maintaining Hong Kong's stability can we sustain our economic prosperity. Only by sustaining Hong Kong's prosperity can we improve people's livelihood," Mr Leung said.

Beijing has said it will hold elections for the role of chief executive in 2017, but the public will only have a choice of candidates selected by a nominating committee.

Campaigners want the public to be able to elect Hong Kong's leader directly and believe that Beijing will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.

The unofficial referendum, organised by campaign group Occupy Central, allowed the public to decide which of three proposals - all of which involved allowing citizens to directly nominate candidates - to present to Beijing.

Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.

China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.

As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.