Hong Kong votes in election as city mourns deadly fire

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete December 7, 2025 at 07:45 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Hong Kong is holding elections for its Legislative Council (LegCo), the second since China implemented electoral changes in 2021 to ensure only "patriots" can hold office. The election, where 161 candidates are competing for 90 seats, is seen as a test of public sentiment. The government has launched a large campaign to encourage voting, offering incentives like shopping vouchers and free access to public amenities. This effort comes as the city mourns a recent deadly fire that killed nearly 160 people, prompting questions about building safety. The 2021 electoral changes, implemented after the 2019 protests, have been criticized for weakening democracy, and the previous election saw record-low voter turnout.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tai Po fire ×250% China ×360% Hong Kong ×780%

Keywords

hong kong election 100% deadly fire 90% legislative council 80% voter turnout 70% china 60% political vetting 60% electoral system 50% public sentiment 50% building safety 40%