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

WION Web Team
Hong Kong, , Hong KongUpdated: Nov 25, 2019, 11:52 AM IST
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Photograph:(Reuters)

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The council seats which were dominated by pro-China candidates have swung decisively in favour of city's pro-democracy parties, reports said.

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.

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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."