First Hong Kong Election Under Revamped System to Be Largely Uncontested

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai (C) speaks during a news conference to announce changes to election and oath taking rules, in Hong Kong, on Feb. 23, 2021. Tyrone Siu/Reuters

HONG KONG—With the pro-democracy camp almost absent, pro-Beijing candidates are running uncontested for most seats in a Hong Kong election committee tasked with choosing the city’s leader, government announcements showed on Aug. 13.

The Sept. 19 vote for the committee is the first election since China overhauled Hong Kong’s electoral system in May to ensure the former British colony is run by “patriots” loyal to Beijing.