In 2019 Hong Kong held its local election amongst insurrection. At this time, Hong Kong’s young populous was in an all-out revolt against Beijing’s encroachment on their autonomy. In February 2019, an extradition bill was proposed, threatening the lives and safety of Chinese dissidents in Hong Kong. Mass protests have been ongoing ever since. Before this election it was commonly, by both sides to some extent, believed that the silent majority of citizens were against the protests and just wanted stability.

The people went to vote in record numbers, especially for a local election, and the island went from all the local politicians being pro-Beijing to most with the exception of the south western area being pro-autonomy. In major elections, Hong Kongers historically vote pro-autonomy but industry seats typically vote pro-Beijing. The Industry seats take up thirty out of seventy seats and thus end up swinging Hong Kong considerably for the mainland against its will.

This dispels the mainland’s main point that most people in Hong Kong don’t want change. These events also bolster the more direct-action-heavy folks, knowing that their use of force is accepted by the people for whom they fight. This also affirms to the international community that the fight is valid, meaning that giving aid to Beijing would lower nations soft power, the ability to influence other nations non-militarily.