Hong Kong government faces opposition as it unveils Beijing-backed election reforms
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hong Kong's government has unveiled election reform proposals that would allow residents to vote for the southern Chinese city's top leader for the first time.
But the proposals include Beijing-backed restrictions facing stiff resistance from the city's pro-democracy lawmakers.
They could spark renewed protests by student leaders and other activists who led mass street occupations that lasted nearly three months last year.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chief Secretary Carrie Lam outlined the reform package's details on Wednesday to lawmakers. She said that under the government's proposals, the city's 5 million eligible voters could choose from up to three candidates in 2017.
But she said the power to select candidates would remain in the hands of a 1,200-member panel of Beijing-friendly tycoons and other elites.