Hong Kong delays election citing COVID-19 pandemic, pro-democracy opposition sceptical

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Photo credit: Getty Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday postponed a September 6 election to the Chinese-ruled city’s legislature by a year because of a rise in coronavirus cases, dealing a blow to the pro-democracy opposition which had hoped to make huge gains. The United States quickly condemned the move, saying it was the latest example of Beijing undermining democracy in the Chinese-ruled territory. “This action undermines the democratic processes and freedoms that have underpinned Hong Kong’s prosperity,” White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters. The decision to delay the vote came after…