HK tycoons can be part of protest solution

Hong Kong

HONG KONG'S tycoons could play a part in ending the stand-off with pro-democracy activists. The city's business leaders have an outsize influence over local politics. Relaxing their grip on special corporate votes could ease divisions over electoral reform as well as tensions over rampant inequality.

Hong Kong's big businesses have generally resisted electoral reform, in line with China's desire to keep a firm grip on any increased democratic representation in the former colony. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying summed up that view on Oct 20 when he said that free elections would give poorer residents a dominant voice.