Overview
- Polls opened at 7:30 with hours extended to 23:30 to choose 90 legislators, only 20 selected by direct vote under Beijing’s 2021 overhaul.
- Midday turnout reached 10.33%, modestly above the pace recorded at the same time during the 2021 election at 9.35%.
- The government plans to table a relief and rebuilding bill at the new legislature’s first sitting and has set up a judge-led commission to investigate the fire.
- Police said 15 construction workers were arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and at least three people were held on sedition allegations, including student Miles Kwan.
- China’s national security office summoned international media over what it called false reporting, and police warned that memorial gatherings were showing signs reminiscent of 2019 protests.