Signals from Hong Kong

The face-off holds lessons for 'strong' governments

The results of Hong Kong’s district council elections, in which pro-democracy candidates won over 90 per cent of the seats, following prolonged clashes with the authorities since June, have raised a new set of challenges for China’s ruling template of “socialism with Chinese characteristics”. This marks the second time the pro-democracy movement has outwitted Beijing: In September, the authorities withdrew a controversial extradition Bill, which had been the proximate cause for the outbreak of unrest this year, but pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam escalated matters by banning the wearing of face masks in public, sparking another round of pro-democracy protests.