Thousands take part in ‘protest voting’

HONG KONG: Nearly 600,000 Hong Kong citizens cast ballots over the weekend in what the Chineseruled city’s opposition camp said was a symbolic protest vote against a tough national security law directly imposed by Beijing.

The unofficial poll will decide the strongest pro-democracy candidates to contest elections in September to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Then, they aim to seize majority control for the first time from pro-Beijing rivals by riding a wave of anti-China sentiment stirred by the law, which critics say has gravely undermined Hong Kong’s freedoms.

While the primaries are only for the opposition camp, the level of participation is seen as a guide to popular opinion in the city of 7.5 million people, a major financial hub.

Defying warnings from a senior Hong Kong official that the vote might fall foul of the national security law, residents young and old flocked to over 250 polling stations across the city, manned by thousands of volunteers.

Long queues formed, with people voting via their mobile phones after having their identities verified.

Organisers said 582,000 people had voted at the end of two full days of polling - more than expected, and representing around a third of voters who backed the democrats in an election last year.

AUSTRALIA RESIDENCE OFFER TO 10K FROM HK

SYDNEY: The Australian government says it will offer around 10,000 Hong Kong passport holders currently living in Australia a chance to apply for permanent residence once their current visas expire. Many Hong Kong passport holders may be looking for other destinations to go to “and hence why we have put forward our additional visa options for them,” Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said.