Turnout was low on Sunday as&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers cast ballots for city lawmakers under Beijing's new "patriots only" rules which drastically reduce the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office.

It is the first legislature poll under the new political blueprint China imposed on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in response to massive and often violent pro-democracy protests two years ago.

All candidates have been vetted for their patriotism and political loyalty to China and only 20 of the 90 legislature seats are being directly elected.

The largest chunk of seats -- 40 -- are being picked by a committee of 1,500 staunch Beijing loyalists.

The remaining 30 are chosen by reliably pro-Beijing committees that represent special-interest and industry groups.

Polling stations closed at 10:30 pm (1430 GMT) after 14 hours of voting.&nbsp;

The latest figures released by authorities showed only about 1.3 million people -- 29 percent of the electorate -- had cast their votes by 9:30 pm.&nbsp;

Those numbers appear set to be the lowest turnout since&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's 1997 handover to China.

In 2016, 58 percent of the electorate voted. The worst post-handover turnout to date was 44 percent in 2000.

Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's Baptist University, described Sunday's turnout as "hugely embarrassing" for the government.

"Most pro-democracy voters decided to stay away, to express their disapproval of this kind of election by not turning up," he told AFP

Final turnout figures are expected in the coming hours and counting the ballots will go into the night.&nbsp;

'Genuine suffrage'

As&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader Carrie Lam arrived to cast her vote on Sunday morning, three protesters from the pro-democracy League of Social Democrats party chanted: "I want genuine universal suffrage".

"(Lam) said this was an improvement of the electoral system, but in reality, it stripped&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers of their right to vote," activist Chan Po-ying told reporters.

The government bought up newspaper front pages and billboards, sent flyers to every household, pinged mobile phones with reminders to vote and made public transport free for the day.

Senior Chinese officials also called for&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers to vote.&nbsp;

But the publicity blitz and appeals appear to have done little to persuade residents in a city where dissent has been criminalised by a sweeping national security law.&nbsp;

An accountant in her 20s, who gave her name as Loy, said she had no plans to use her ballot.&nbsp;

"My vote won't mean anything because ultimately it's Beijing's people winning," she told AFP.&nbsp;

But Daniel So, a 65-year-old who works in technology, was among the first queuing at a polling centre in the wealthy Mid-Levels district.

"The young people are not so interested in this election because they are misled by foreign politicians and media," he told AFP. "China is doing so great now."

Boycott calls

Lam has sought to manage expectations, telling state media last week that a low turnout could indicate "the government is doing well and its credibility is high".

Before voting on Sunday, she told reporters she "had not set any target" for turnout.

Independent polling places her public approval rating at around 36 percent.

Multiple&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;media outlets reported Lam would travel to Beijing on Monday, citing sources.

Sunday's election has received vocal backing from Beijing, which sees the new system as a way to root out "anti-China" elements and restore order in a legislature freed from a disruptive opposition.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;chief secretary John Lee said Sunday that &nbsp;who were excluded from the poll "are those traitors who will not be acting for the overall good of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong".

Critics counter that authoritarian China has all but banned opposition parties in a city that once boasted a rambunctious political scene.

Dozens of prominent opposition figures -- including many democrats who won seats in the previous election -- have been jailed, disqualified or have fled overseas.

The city's biggest pro-democracy parties put forward no candidates and a growing number of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;activists abroad openly advocated a boycott.&nbsp;

"People do not want to vote for a rubber-stamp chamber and pretend everything is all right," Nathan Law, a former lawmaker now living in Britain who is wanted by&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;authorities, tweeted Sunday.

Hong&nbsp;Kongers are allowed to cast blank ballots or not vote.

But earlier this year, authorities made it a crime to "incite" others to boycott elections or cast blank or spoiled ballots.

Authorities have arrested 10 people under this law so far, mostly for social media posts.

They have also issued arrest warrants for activists overseas who have called for a boycott.

Turnout was low on Sunday as Hong Kongers cast ballots for city lawmakers under Beijing's new "patriots only" rules which drastically reduce the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office.

Turnout was low on Sunday as Hong Kongers cast ballots for city lawmakers under Beijing's new "patriots only" rules which drastically reduce the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office. It is the first legislature poll under the new political blueprint China imposed on Hong Kong in response to massive and often violent pro-democracy protests two years ago. All candidates have been vetted for their patriotism and political loyalty to China and only 20 of the 90 legislature seats are being directly elected. The largest chunk of seats -- 40 -- are being picked by a committee of 1,500 staunch Beijing loyalists. The remaining 30 are chosen by reliably pro-Beijing committees that represent special-interest and industry groups. Polling stations closed at 10:30 pm (1430 GMT) after 14 hours of voting. The latest figures released by authorities showed only about 1.3 million people -- 29 percent of the electorate -- had cast their votes by 9:30 pm. Those numbers appear set to be the lowest turnout since Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China. In 2016, 58 percent of the electorate voted. The worst post-handover turnout to date was 44 percent in 2000. Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at Hong Kong's Baptist University, described Sunday's turnout as "hugely embarrassing" for the government. "Most pro-democracy voters decided to stay away, to express their disapproval of this kind of election by not turning up," he told AFP Final turnout figures are expected in the coming hours and counting the ballots will go into the night. 'Genuine suffrage' As Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam arrived to cast her vote on Sunday morning, three protesters from the pro-democracy League of Social Democrats party chanted: "I want genuine universal suffrage". "(Lam) said this was an improvement of the electoral system, but in reality, it stripped Hong Kongers of their right to vote," activist Chan Po-ying told reporters. The government bought up newspaper front pages and billboards, sent flyers to every household, pinged mobile phones with reminders to vote and made public transport free for the day. Senior Chinese officials also called for Hong Kongers to vote. But the publicity blitz and appeals appear to have done little to persuade residents in a city where dissent has been criminalised by a sweeping national security law. An accountant in her 20s, who gave her name as Loy, said she had no plans to use her ballot. "My vote won't mean anything because ultimately it's Beijing's people winning," she told AFP. But Daniel So, a 65-year-old who works in technology, was among the first queuing at a polling centre in the wealthy Mid-Levels district. "The young people are not so interested in this election because they are misled by foreign politicians and media," he told AFP. "China is doing so great now." Boycott calls Lam has sought to manage expectations, telling state media last week that a low turnout could indicate "the government is doing well and its credibility is high". Before voting on Sunday, she told reporters she "had not set any target" for turnout. Independent polling places her public approval rating at around 36 percent. Multiple Hong Kong media outlets reported Lam would travel to Beijing on Monday, citing sources. Sunday's election has received vocal backing from Beijing, which sees the new system as a way to root out "anti-China" elements and restore order in a legislature freed from a disruptive opposition. Hong Kong chief secretary John Lee said Sunday that who were excluded from the poll "are those traitors who will not be acting for the overall good of Hong Kong". Critics counter that authoritarian China has all but banned opposition parties in a city that once boasted a rambunctious political scene. Dozens of prominent opposition figures -- including many democrats who won seats in the previous election -- have been jailed, disqualified or have fled overseas. The city's biggest pro-democracy parties put forward no candidates and a growing number of Hong Kong activists abroad openly advocated a boycott. "People do not want to vote for a rubber-stamp chamber and pretend everything is all right," Nathan Law, a former lawmaker now living in Britain who is wanted by Hong Kong authorities, tweeted Sunday. Hong Kongers are allowed to cast blank ballots or not vote. But earlier this year, authorities made it a crime to "incite" others to boycott elections or cast blank or spoiled ballots. Authorities have arrested 10 people under this law so far, mostly for social media posts. They have also issued arrest warrants for activists overseas who have called for a boycott.

Low turnout for Hong Kong's 'patriots only' polls

Taiwan&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-has-urgent-need-for-infiltration-law-in-face-of-china-president-tsai-ing-wen-270657">Tsai Ing-wen</a> said on Wednesday the island would not accept a "one country, two systems" political formula Beijing has suggested could be used to&nbsp;unify&nbsp;the democratic island, saying such an arrangement had failed in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

China claims&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as its territory, to be brought&nbsp;under&nbsp;Beijing's control by force if necessary.&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;says it is an independent country called the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253107">Republic of China</a>, its official name.

Tsai, who's seeking re-election in a January 11 votes, also vowed in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/may-this-year-be-filled-with-joy-and-prosperity-pm-modi-tweets-out-271326">New Year</a>'s speech to defend&nbsp;Taiwan's sovereignty, saying her government would build a mechanism to safeguard freedom and democracy as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island.

Fear of China has become a major element in the campaign, boosted by months of anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

"Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people have shown us that 'one country, two systems' is definitely not feasible," Tsai said, referring to the political arrangement that guaranteed certain freedoms in the former British colony of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;after it was returned to China in 1997.

"Under&nbsp;'one country, two systems', the situation continues to deteriorate in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong. The credibility of 'one country, two systems' has been sullied by the government's abuse of power," Tsai said.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has been hit by months of anti-government protests triggered by widespread resentment of perceived efforts by Beijing to exert control of the city despite the promises of autonomy.

Taiwan's parliament passed an anti-infiltration law on Tuesday to combat perceived threats from China, further straining ties between&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;and Beijing.

Tsai said the law will protect&nbsp;Taiwan's democracy and cross-strait exchanges will not be affected amid worries that the legislation may damage business ties with China.

China suspects Tsai and her independence-leaning <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-appoints-new-premier-after-resignations-over-poll-defeats-189499">Democratic Progressive Party</a> of pushing for the island's formal independence and has threatened it with war if there was any such move.

Tsai denies seeking independence and reiterated that she would not unilaterally change the status quo with China.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday the island would not accept a "one country, two systems" political formula Beijing has suggested could be used to unify the democratic island, saying such an arrangement had failed in Hong Kong.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday the island would not accept a "one country, two systems" political formula Beijing has suggested could be used to unify the democratic island, saying such an arrangement had failed in Hong Kong. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name. Tsai, who's seeking re-election in a January 11 votes, also vowed in a New Year's speech to defend Taiwan's sovereignty, saying her government would build a mechanism to safeguard freedom and democracy as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island. Fear of China has become a major element in the campaign, boosted by months of anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong. "Hong Kong people have shown us that 'one country, two systems' is definitely not feasible," Tsai said, referring to the political arrangement that guaranteed certain freedoms in the former British colony of Hong Kong after it was returned to China in 1997. "Under 'one country, two systems', the situation continues to deteriorate in Hong Kong. The credibility of 'one country, two systems' has been sullied by the government's abuse of power," Tsai said. Hong Kong has been hit by months of anti-government protests triggered by widespread resentment of perceived efforts by Beijing to exert control of the city despite the promises of autonomy. Taiwan's parliament passed an anti-infiltration law on Tuesday to combat perceived threats from China, further straining ties between Taiwan and Beijing. Tsai said the law will protect Taiwan's democracy and cross-strait exchanges will not be affected amid worries that the legislation may damage business ties with China. China suspects Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party of pushing for the island's formal independence and has threatened it with war if there was any such move. Tsai denies seeking independence and reiterated that she would not unilaterally change the status quo with China.

Taiwan leader rejects China's offer to unify under Hong Kong model

Hit by a projectile fired by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongers-await-beijing-olive-branch-after-rare-calm-267355">Hong&nbsp;Kong</a>&nbsp;police while&nbsp;covering&nbsp;an anti-government protest nearly two months ago,&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;journalist Veby Mega Indah was&nbsp;blinded&nbsp;in one&nbsp;eye, but that has not blotted out the traumatic flashbacks filling her mind.

Working as an associate editor for Suara, a newspaper popular with&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;migrant workers in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, Indah, 39, had been live-streaming in the Bahasa Indonesia language on the frontlines of demonstrations.

At the time of the shooting Indah was reporting on the street&nbsp;protests&nbsp;alongside other journalists from the vantage point of a footbridge. She believes she was hit by a rubber bullet. Whatever the projectile was, it has caused the permanent loss of sight in her right&nbsp;eye.

"I felt like I could not bear it anymore. I thought it's going to be my end," she told Reuters.

Indah recalled hearing fellow journalists behind her shout: "We are journalists, stop shooting at us!"

The Chinese-ruled city has been roiled by more than six months of sometimes violent&nbsp;protests&nbsp;as activists call for greater democracy and an independent inquiry into police actions, among other demands.

Police, who have at times fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, say they have shown restraint in the face of escalating violence.

Indah and her legal representative told Reuters they have filed a legal request asking the police to name the officer involved in the incident so they can pursue a civil case, but that they have had no meaningful response so far.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;police did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

While Indah still feels pain, she is adjusting to life with one&nbsp;eye, although she is still haunted by the experience.

"When I was in the hospital, I keep waking up because some images (keep) flashing back the projectile keeps coming back and coming back to my right&nbsp;eye," she said, while holding back tears.

She has been unable to return to work.

Hit by a projectile fired by Hong Kong police while covering an anti-government protest nearly two months ago, Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah was blinded in one eye, but that has not blotted out the traumatic flashbacks filling her mind.

Hit by a projectile fired by Hong Kong police while covering an anti-government protest nearly two months ago, Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah was blinded in one eye, but that has not blotted out the traumatic flashbacks filling her mind. Working as an associate editor for Suara, a newspaper popular with Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong, Indah, 39, had been live-streaming in the Bahasa Indonesia language on the frontlines of demonstrations. At the time of the shooting Indah was reporting on the street protests alongside other journalists from the vantage point of a footbridge. She believes she was hit by a rubber bullet. Whatever the projectile was, it has caused the permanent loss of sight in her right eye. "I felt like I could not bear it anymore. I thought it's going to be my end," she told Reuters. Indah recalled hearing fellow journalists behind her shout: "We are journalists, stop shooting at us!" The Chinese-ruled city has been roiled by more than six months of sometimes violent protests as activists call for greater democracy and an independent inquiry into police actions, among other demands. Police, who have at times fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, say they have shown restraint in the face of escalating violence. Indah and her legal representative told Reuters they have filed a legal request asking the police to name the officer involved in the incident so they can pursue a civil case, but that they have had no meaningful response so far. Hong Kong police did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. While Indah still feels pain, she is adjusting to life with one eye, although she is still haunted by the experience. "When I was in the hospital, I keep waking up because some images (keep) flashing back the projectile keeps coming back and coming back to my right eye," she said, while holding back tears. She has been unable to return to work.

Eye blinded covering Hong Kong protests, Indonesian reporter seeks justice

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Low turnout for Hong Kong's 'patriots only' polls

Taiwan leader rejects China's offer to unify under Hong Kong model

Eye blinded covering Hong Kong protests, Indonesian reporter seeks justice