Electoral Overhaul Under the Principle of “Patriots Governing Hong Kong”: Implications for Pro-China Governing Coalition Re-building

Mainstream literature on democratic backsliding has primarily focused on how states suppress opposition. However, a more challenging issue is rebuilding a new governing coalition to sustain power. This article examines the principle of “Patriots Governing Hong Kong” and argues that the asssociated electoral overhaul not only marginalizes opposition but also recentralizes political power within a new pro-China ruling coalition. Increasing numbers of China-affiliated elites are joining this governing alliance while the political influence of Hong Kong’s traditional capitalist elites is diminishing. This study provides a comprehensive theoretical perspective on power reconcentration with updated empirical data on Hong Kong’s political landscape.