{
  "id": "R42746",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R42746",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
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      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 416042,
      "date": "2012-09-14",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T23:56:25.030114",
      "title": "Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: Results of the 2012 Elections",
      "summary": "Hong Kong selected a new Chief Executive and Legislative Council (Legco) in March and September of 2012, respectively. Both elections delivered surprising results for different reasons. The eventual selection of Leung Chu-ying (CY Leung) as Chief Executive came after presumed front-runner Henry Tang Ying-yen ran into a series of personal scandals. The Legco election results surprised many as several of the traditional parties fared poorly while several new parties emerged victorious. \nThe 2012 elections in Hong Kong are important for the city\u2019s future prospect for democratic reforms because, under the territory\u2019s Basic Law, any changes in the election process for Chief Executive and Legco must be approved by two-thirds of the Legco members and receive the consent of the Chief Executive. Under the provision of a decision by China\u2019s Standing Committee of the National People\u2019s Congress issued in December 2007, the soonest that the Chief Executive and all the Legco members can be elected by universal suffrage are the elections of 2017 and 2020, respectively. As such, the newly elected Legco and CY Leung will have the opportunity to propose and adopt election reforms that fulfill the \u201cultimate aim\u201d of the election of Hong Kong\u2019s leaders by universal suffrage. \nThe outcome of Hong Kong\u2019s 2012 elections matters to Congress for three key reasons. First, the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 states that it is U.S. policy to support democracy in Hong Kong. Second, the conduct of the 2012 elections and the possibility of additional political reforms may be indicators of the Chinese government\u2019s commitment to the Basic Law and its support for the democratic reforms in areas where it exercises sovereignty. Third, some scholars speculate that Hong Kong may serve as a testing ground for possible democratic reforms in Mainland China.\nCongress has appropriated funds in the past to foster the development of civil society and democratic practices in Hong Kong. The 2012 election results and the upcoming discussion of future election reforms\u2014including the involvement of the Chinese government\u2014are factors that Congress may consider when deciding whether to allocate more assistance for the democratic practices in Hong Kong. In addition, Congress may conduct hearings or organize other events to examine and bring attention to the prospects for democracy in Hong Kong.",
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