Foreign Office Minister welcomes Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire has welcomed the elections, saying it represents an "important step towards full universal suffrage in Hong Kong".
The fifth Legislative Council (LegCo) elections since Hong Kong re-joined China took place on Sunday, putting into practice constitutional reforms announced in 2010 and representing a significant step towards greater democracy in Hong Kong.
The key change made is the creation of five territory-wide “super-seats”, with 40 of the 70 members of LegCo now directly elected by universal suffrage. The balance of seats is made up of 30 Functional Constituencies (FCs), elected by limited groups, mostly representing professional or business interests.
Commenting on the elections, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, said:
“I welcome the elections that took place on Sunday, which represent an important step towards full universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
“I look forward to deepening and developing the parliamentary links between Westminster and the Legislative Council; and to having an opportunity to visit Hong Kong myself before too long.”