How Hong Kong's electoral process works

China's rubber-stamp parliament on Aug. 31 endorsed the framework for Hong Kong's first direct leadership election, due in 2017. It says a 1,200 person nominating panel will vet candidates, who must be "patriots". There can be no open nominations. That has prompted a "civil disobedience" campaign by pro-democracy activists, potentially disrupting Hong Kong's major financial hub.

WHAT IS THE BASIC LAW?
Hong Kong's mini-constitution, endorsed by China, enshrines the principle of "one country, two systems" to govern capitalist Hong Kong after the former British colony was returned to Communist Chinese rule in 1997.

HOW MUCH SAY DOES CHINA HAVE OVER HONG KONG'S AFFAIRS?
China's highest legal authority, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC), has the final say over any interpretation or amendment of the Basic Law - and therefore all democratic and electoral reforms in Hong Kong.

This right has only been exercised a handful of times since the handover, each time sparking widespread criticism that Beijing was interfering in Hong Kong's judicial affairs.

Any proposed electoral framework for the 2017 leadership poll must be endorsed by two-thirds of Hong Kong's legislature and finally, by the NPCSC.

HOW MUCH AUTONOMY IS HONG KONG ALLOWED?
Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is promised "a high degree of autonomy" as well as "executive, legislative and independent judicial power." It also states that the "socialist system and policies shall not be practised" in Hong Kong, while "the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years" - until 2047.

ALSO READ: Amid democracy clashes in Hong Kong, China asserts paternal rights

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THE PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCEMENT?
While the Basic Law says universal suffrage is the "ultimate aim", Beijing hadn't previously detailed specific arrangements for the 2017 poll. This is the first time detailed parameters for the election of Hong Kong's chief executive have been laid out.

The Basic Law states any chief executive must first be nominated by a "broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures." This has given Beijing some leeway to pre-screen candidates it deems unacceptable, including opposition lawmakers.

WHAT IS A NOMINATING COMMITTEE?
Hong Kong's democratic movement has battled Beijing since 1997 to get a truly democratic election that offers people a genuine choice. The democrats say Beijing's pre-screening of candidates is unfair and tantamount to Chinese-style "fake democracy", rendering any direct vote meaningless.

Hong Kong's three post-handover chief executives have all been chosen by a small election committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists drawn mostly from business sectors.

For the 2017 election, China is expected to substantially tighten the nomination threshold from one-eighth to half of the committee's votes, making it next to impossible for democrats to even get on the ballot.

The nominating committee for 2017 is likely be similar in composition to the election committee, comprised of largely four sectors; commercial, the professions, labour and political.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy lawmakers, who make up just over a one-third bloc of seats in the 70-seat legislature, say such a framework is unacceptable and plan to veto it.

(Compiled by James Pomfret. Editing by Bill Tarrant; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)