Hong Kong Throws A Party And Doesn’t Invite Beijing

Millennials just love to crash parties. The next generation of pro-democracy activists are about to become more influential than ever, moving from the front lines of protests to the legislative council. After a record 2.2 million people went to the polls in Hong Kong on Sunday, it was clear that at least four “radical” young activists – all of whom support either greater political autonomy or outright independence from China –  claimed seats in the Legco, Hong Kong’s 70-member legislative council. Who are these four horsemen of China’s feared apocalypse? Let’s meet them:

Nathan Law, the 23-year-old who was one of the leaders of the 2014 “umbrella movement” protests.

Yau Wai-ching, a 25-year-old from Youngspiration, a new political party and probable Pinterest account. 

Sixtus “Baggio” Leung, a 30-year-old who wants full independence for Hong Kong.

Cheng Chung-tai, a 33-year-old academic from the Civic Passion party.

Needless to say, Beijing is not pleased with the newest party guests in Legco, who mark a generational handover in Hong Kong politics. Even Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement is nervous. The “old guard” leaders spent decades fighting for expanded political rights and see the millennial newcomers as a less compromising and more confrontational generation. The elected millennials don’t seem too worried about the #haters though.

Good Read: The New Yorker Explores A Similar Story In Ukraine