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            Hong Kong Braces for Key Vote on Beijing-backed Reforms

   by VOA News

   Hong Kong lawmakers continued an impassioned debate Thursday over a
   contentious electoral reform bill that has divided the territory's
   opposition and pro-government forces.

   The reform package, formulated by Beijing, lays out the rules for
   electing the territory's chief executive in 2017.  It would for the
   first time allow Hong Kongers to vote for their top leader, but
   candidates would need to be approved by a 1,200-member committee
   dominated by Beijing loyalists.

   A vote is expected by the end of the week. Analysts say the package
   faces stiff opposition and near certain defeat.

   China has argued the new proposals are more democratic than anything
   that existed under more than a century of British colonial rule that
   ended in 1997.

   Pro-democracy activists -- many of whom mounted large-scale protests
   against the measures last year -- say Beijing's proposed vetting
   process is not democratic enough.

   Some critics have voiced fears that the measures could result in a
   repeat of 2012, when the widely unpopular Beijing-backed Leung
   Chun-ying became the territory's chief executive.

   As legislators continued debate early Thursday, hundreds of
   pro-government activists gathered outside to show their support for the
   bill. Activists from both sides have vowed to continue protests until
   the package comes up for a vote.

   Security is heavier than usual in the Chinese territory after police
   this week seized a stash of chemicals and arrested 10 people, six of
   whom have been charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion.

   Officials have said little about the alleged bomb plot, which some
   opposition activists suspect is an attempt to smear a pro-democracy
   movement that has been overwhelmingly peaceful.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/hong-kong-braces-for-key-vote-on-refo
   rms/2827118.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/hong-kong-braces-for-key-vote-on-reforms/2827118.html