This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
On November 24, 2019, Hong Kong's opposition pro-democracy movement made unprecedented gains in the Chinese territory's district council elections, with early results showing 17 of the 18 councils now controlled by pro-democracy councillors.
Despite fears the vote could be disrupted or cancelled over the unrest, the election went ahead peacefully.
The election was seen as a test of support for the government after months of unrest, protests, and clashes.
According to local media counts, a record 4.1 million people had registered to vote – more than half the population – and more than 2.9m people cast votes, resulting in a turnout of more than 71%, against 47% in 2015.
One controversial pro-Beijing lawmaker, Junius Ho, who lost his seat, said, “heaven and earth have been turned upside down”.
Pro-Beijing parties held the majority of the 452 district council seats ahead of the election, but the pro-democracy camp made significant gains, with many young first-time candidates unseating established politicians backing the government.
The overwhelming victory of anti-establishment parties has raised hopes among activists that the government will take protesters' demands more seriously.
Junius Ho, who suffered a shock defeat, was stabbed earlier this month by a man pretending to be a supporter and has openly voiced his support for Hong Kong's police force on multiple occasions.
