The Pro-democracy Movement in Hong Kong and the September 2004 Legislative Council Elections

Abstract

The pro-democracy movement was in a difficult state in the years before the massive protest rally on July 1, 2003. There was considerable frustration with the lack of progress as no one expected any breakthrough before 2007. Even the political parties in the pro-democracy camp did not believe that democratization was an issue with much political appeal. The Democratic Party, the party with the most seats in the legislature before September 2004, and its allies could make very little impact on the government’s policy-making process. As the Tung administration enjoyed the backing of a safe majority in the legislature, it did not have to lobby for the approval of the pro-democracy groups which were treated as the Opposition.
In fact, there had been little meaningful consultation between the pro-democracy groups and the government.