Beijing cuts Hong Kong's directly elected seats in radical overhaul

Measures are passed to increase Beijing's control of city, including vetting of election candidates

China has passed sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that tighten Beijing's grip on the city, while leaving a facade of democratic structures in place.

Beijing has amended Hong Kong's Basic Law, or constitution, to almost halve the proportion of directly elected representatives in the city's legislature, which already had limited powers, and require all candidates to be vetted for political loyalty.