Chinese state media on Tuesday sought to downplay and discredit the results of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-summons-us-ambassador-over-hong-kong-rights-bill-264512">Hong Kong elections</a> that delivered a stunning victory for pro-democracy candidates and a stinging rebuke to the pro-Beijing establishment.

Local elections in the semi-autonomous city revealed broad public support for a protest movement that has stirred months of violence, as candidates seeking to loosen control by China seized an overwhelming majority of the 452 elected seats.

But the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-carrie-lam-thanks-residents-for-orderly-voting-after-district-elections-264504">election winners were not mentioned in Chinese-language state media</a> on Tuesday, including official broadcaster CCTV and Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily.

The People's Daily said, "social unrest... has seriously disrupted the electoral process."

An editorial in the English-language version of China Daily said the poll was "skewed by intimidation" and "dirty tricks".

The editorial said, "violent intimidation tactics were intended to reduce the exposure and visibility of pro-establishment candidates".

"External forces that have helped stoke the months-long anti-government campaign in the special administrative region also contributed greatly to damaging the election chances of pro-establishment candidates," it said.

A commentary in English on official news agency Xinhua said that the election "fell victim" to "rioters".

"Campaigns of some patriotic candidates were seriously disrupted, and their offices were trashed and set ablaze," it said Tuesday.

"One candidate was injured in an attack. Harassment on patriotic candidates occurred on the voting day."

The commentary went on to give its support to city leader Carrie Lam, and said the "Hong Kong community should also correctly understand the relationship between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland".

The Tuesday front page of the nationalistic Global Times said the election had sparked "reflection" but warned it was "highly politicized amid ongoing social unrest".

The article went on to quote experts saying there was "no need to over-interpret the victory of pan-democrats".

Global Times said that "under the plurality voting system... the opposition won 80 per cent of seats with only 60 per cent of the vote".

On Monday evening, the flagship Chinese news programme Xinwen Lianbo also did not mention the Hong Kong elections.

Chinese state media on Tuesday sought to downplay and discredit the results of Hong Kong elections that delivered a stunning victory for pro-democracy candidates and a stinging rebuke to the pro-Beijing establishment.

Chinese state media on Tuesday sought to downplay and discredit the results of Hong Kong elections that delivered a stunning victory for pro-democracy candidates and a stinging rebuke to the pro-Beijing establishment. Local elections in the semi-autonomous city revealed broad public support for a protest movement that has stirred months of violence, as candidates seeking to loosen control by China seized an overwhelming majority of the 452 elected seats. But the election winners were not mentioned in Chinese-language state media on Tuesday, including official broadcaster CCTV and Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily. The People's Daily said, "social unrest... has seriously disrupted the electoral process." An editorial in the English-language version of China Daily said the poll was "skewed by intimidation" and "dirty tricks". The editorial said, "violent intimidation tactics were intended to reduce the exposure and visibility of pro-establishment candidates". "External forces that have helped stoke the months-long anti-government campaign in the special administrative region also contributed greatly to damaging the election chances of pro-establishment candidates," it said. A commentary in English on official news agency Xinhua said that the election "fell victim" to "rioters". "Campaigns of some patriotic candidates were seriously disrupted, and their offices were trashed and set ablaze," it said Tuesday. "One candidate was injured in an attack. Harassment on patriotic candidates occurred on the voting day." The commentary went on to give its support to city leader Carrie Lam, and said the "Hong Kong community should also correctly understand the relationship between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland". The Tuesday front page of the nationalistic Global Times said the election had sparked "reflection" but warned it was "highly politicized amid ongoing social unrest". The article went on to quote experts saying there was "no need to over-interpret the victory of pan-democrats". Global Times said that "under the plurality voting system... the opposition won 80 per cent of seats with only 60 per cent of the vote". On Monday evening, the flagship Chinese news programme Xinwen Lianbo also did not mention the Hong Kong elections.

Chinese state media say Hong Kong elections 'skewed'

As local election results came in on Monday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-matter-what-happens-hong-kong-is-part-of-china-chinese-foreign-minister-wang-yi-on-local-elections-264287">Hong Kong's chief executive </a>Carrie Lam said the city government will "certainly listen humbly to citizens' opinions and reflect on them seriously."

On Sunday, Hong Kong citizens voted in council elections in the backdrop of anti-government protests with reports indicating pro-democracy parties making huge gains.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-democrats-romp-to-local-election-landslide-after-months-of-protests-264272">council seats </a>which were dominated by pro-China candidates have swung decisively in favour of city's pro-democracy parties, reports said.&nbsp;

As results poured in, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi speaking to reporters in Tokyo said, "It is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China."

"Any attempt to mess up Hong Kong, or even damage its prosperity and stability, will not succeed," the Chinese foreign minister added.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-election-pro-democracy-parties-ahead-in-12-out-of-18-districts-264282/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Elections were held in 18 district councils with 452 seats in contention.

"The government will certainly listen humbly to citizens' opinions and reflect on them seriously," Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a statement as results were declared in the city.

"The government respects the election results," Lam added, while saying that "citizens are dissatisfied with the current social situation and... deep-seated problems."

Hong Kong has witnessed large scale anti-government protests with activists calling for more accountability and freedom.

"The voters used the most peaceful way to tell the government that we won't accept Hong Kong becoming a police state, and an authoritarian regime," said Wu Chi-wai, the chairman of the Democratic Party,&nbsp;adding, "the government must squarely face... public opinion." 
&nbsp;

As local election results came in on Monday, Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam said the city government will "certainly listen humbly to citizens' opinions and reflect on them seriously.

As local election results came in on Monday, Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam said the city government will "certainly listen humbly to citizens' opinions and reflect on them seriously." On Sunday, Hong Kong citizens voted in council elections in the backdrop of anti-government protests with reports indicating pro-democracy parties making huge gains. The council seats which were dominated by pro-China candidates have swung decisively in favour of city's pro-democracy parties, reports said. As results poured in, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi speaking to reporters in Tokyo said, "It is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China." "Any attempt to mess up Hong Kong, or even damage its prosperity and stability, will not succeed," the Chinese foreign minister added. Watch Video: Elections were held in 18 district councils with 452 seats in contention. "The government will certainly listen humbly to citizens' opinions and reflect on them seriously," Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a statement as results were declared in the city. "The government respects the election results," Lam added, while saying that "citizens are dissatisfied with the current social situation and... deep-seated problems." Hong Kong has witnessed large scale anti-government protests with activists calling for more accountability and freedom. "The voters used the most peaceful way to tell the government that we won't accept Hong Kong becoming a police state, and an authoritarian regime," said Wu Chi-wai, the chairman of the Democratic Party, adding, "the government must squarely face... public opinion."

Will listen humbly to citizens' opinions: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on local election results

As results in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-democrats-romp-to-local-election-landslide-after-months-of-protests-264272">Hong Kong's district elections</a> poured in, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China.

"It's not the final result yet. Let's wait for the final result, OK? However, it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China," Wang told reporters in Tokyo while visiting PM Shinzo Abe.

"Any attempt to mess up Hong Kong, or even damage its prosperity and stability, will not succeed," the Chinese foreign minister added.

Hong Kong citizens voted in large numbers on Sunday for district council elections for 452 seats as pro-democracy parties made major gains. According to reports, pro-democracy parties had secured victory in 333 of 452 seats.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-election-pro-democracy-parties-ahead-in-12-out-of-18-districts-264282/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Hong Kong has been rocked by months of pro-democracy movements which has increasingly turned violent in recent weeks with students clashing regularly with police.

Last week in a major escalation of violence police surrounded the Polytechnic University as students attacked&nbsp;authorities with a barrage of rocks and petrol bombs and later attempted to slip through sewers.

Police used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to take control of the university. Several hundred students were reportedly arrested, and others let free after their identity was taken down by police. The campus occupation had begun on November 11 after police shot an anti-government protester during a demonstration.

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam had said during the large scale protests that she was shocked that campuses had transformed into "weapons factories".

"The Chief Executive has made it clear on various occasions that violence is not a solution to any problem," the Hong Kong chief executive's office said in a statement even as violence shook&nbsp;the city.

As results in Hong Kong's district elections poured in, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China.

As results in Hong Kong's district elections poured in, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China. "It's not the final result yet. Let's wait for the final result, OK? However, it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China," Wang told reporters in Tokyo while visiting PM Shinzo Abe. "Any attempt to mess up Hong Kong, or even damage its prosperity and stability, will not succeed," the Chinese foreign minister added. Hong Kong citizens voted in large numbers on Sunday for district council elections for 452 seats as pro-democracy parties made major gains. According to reports, pro-democracy parties had secured victory in 333 of 452 seats. Watch Video: Hong Kong has been rocked by months of pro-democracy movements which has increasingly turned violent in recent weeks with students clashing regularly with police. Last week in a major escalation of violence police surrounded the Polytechnic University as students attacked authorities with a barrage of rocks and petrol bombs and later attempted to slip through sewers. Police used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to take control of the university. Several hundred students were reportedly arrested, and others let free after their identity was taken down by police. The campus occupation had begun on November 11 after police shot an anti-government protester during a demonstration. Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam had said during the large scale protests that she was shocked that campuses had transformed into "weapons factories". "The Chief Executive has made it clear on various occasions that violence is not a solution to any problem," the Hong Kong chief executive's office said in a statement even as violence shook the city.

No matter what happens, Hong Kong is part of China: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on local elections

Hong Kong voted in district council elections Sunday in a ballot the city's pro-democracy movement hoped would send a message to the Beijing-backed government. The run-up to Sunday's polls has seen a muting of major rallies and violent clashes between police and protesters, respite for a city battered by nearly six months of unprecedented political unrest.

Hong Kong voted in district council elections Sunday in a ballot the city's pro-democracy movement hoped would send a message to the Beijing-backed government. The run-up to Sunday's polls has seen a muting of major rallies and violent clashes between police and protesters, respite for a city battered by nearly six months of unprecedented political unrest. Protest forums have urged citizens to vote and to pause acts of disruption in case the government pushes back the polls, which opened at 7:30 am (2330 GMT Saturday) for 4.1 million registered voters. Posts by pro-democracy users on the popular online board LiHKG urged supporters "not to jeopardise the election". The district council polls normally stir little excitement, dominated by candidates allied to the China-backed government with a remit over everyday tasks such as rubbish collections and planning decisions. But with protests roughing up the city, pro-democracy candidates are hoping to make a statement to Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the pro-Beijing government, which have refused to concede to the movement's demands. The poll to choose 452 councillors across 18 districts is the closest voters in Hong Kong get to direct representation -- but turnout is usually unremarkable. Nearly 400,000 new voters have registered, however, which is widely interpreted as a positive sign for the pro-democracy camp. Police were deployed at polling stations and on the city streets on Sunday to prevent any disruption. "If you create massive chaos or carry out unlawful deeds it will be difficult to hold a fair election," government Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said Saturday. "It's a real democratic exercise. I really want people to treasure it." Hong Kong's political unrest started in June in opposition to an extradition bill to China. Although the bill was eventually withdrawn, the movement snowballed into wider calls for democracy and investigations into alleged police brutality. The district polls remain the city's freest. In contrast, members of the city's legislature are elected by a mix of the popular vote and industry groups stacked with Beijing loyalists. The city's chief executive is chosen by a similarly pro-establishment committee. Analysts expect pro-democracy candidates to make gains in the district councils, but to still fall well short of a majority of the 452 slots. In a bid to get out their vote, pro-democracy groups have made "HOW TO CAST A VOTE" airdrops. The messages urge young voters to turn up early, bring their ID and "avoid wearing black shirts and masks" -- the unofficial uniform of the protesters -- or accidentally spoiling ballots.

Hong Kong pro-democrats seek to hit government at district polls