Democratic reforms in Hong Kong did not seriously begin until 1984 and has faced significant challenges since 2014. The one country, two systems principle allows Hong Kong to enjoy high autonomy in all areas besides foreign relations and defence, which are responsibilities of the central government. Hong Kong's Basic Law allows residents to vote for local district councillors and directly elect about half of the region's legislators (LegCo) at the time.
Democracy protesters on 13 January 2008 demanding universal suffrage by 2012
March in support of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders, 20 August 2017
Protesters urged that "Democracy delayed is democracy denied".
An estimated 22,000 protesters were present during the 2008 march for democracy.
"One country, two systems" is a constitutional principle of the People's Republic of China (PRC) describing the governance of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Sign in Xiamen reading "一国两制统一中国" (Yīguó liǎngzhì tǒngyī Zhōngguó, transl. One country, two systems unites China)
Office of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR in Beijing
Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR
Office of the Macau Special Administrative Region in Beijing
