Will Hong Kong continue to be a vital global business hub?
Congressional Research Service, "Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: China's December 2007 Decision," January 10, 2008
This CRS report was prepared by Michael F. Martin, analyst in Asian Trade and Finance.
January 10, 2008
View reports from other years:
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Summary
The prospects for democratization in Hong Kong became clearer following a decision of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPCSC) on December 29, 2007. The NPCSC’s decision effectively set the year 2017 as the earliest date for the direct election of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive and the year 2020 as the earliest date for the direct election of all members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (Legco). However, ambiguities in the language used by the NPCSC have contributed to differences in interpretation of its decision. According to Hong Kong’s current Chief Executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, the decision sets a clear timetable for democracy in Hong Kong. However, representatives of Hong Kong’s “pro-democracy” parties believe the decision includes no solid commitment to democratization in Hong Kong. The NPCSC’s decision also established some guidelines for the process of election reform in Hong Kong, including what can and cannot be altered in the 2012 elections.
Click here for a listing of reports released by the Congressional Research Service.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Democracy in Hong Kong 2008.pdf | 71.92 KB |
Featured Articles
November 21, 2023
Mahtani and McLaughlin were on the ground in Hong Kong and provide this history of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement centered around a cast of core activists, culminating in the 2019 mass protests and Beijing's crackdown.
Events
Monday, December 4, 2023 - 4:00pm
IOKIBE Kaoru (University of Tokyo) will focus on U.S.-Japan relations in historical and contemporary contexts.
Thursday, November 16, 2023 - 4:00pm PT
Mahtani and McLaughlin were on the ground in Hong Kong and provide this history of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement centered around a cast of core activists, culminating in the 2019 mass protests and Beijing's crackdown.