China bans pro-democracy candidates in Macau elections

Move mirrors crackdown in Hong Kong and comes despite pledges the territory would have high levels of autonomy

China's crackdown on pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong appears to have spread to Macau, where 21 candidates, including veteran legislators, have been disqualified from upcoming elections.

Most of those disqualified have vowed to challenge the ruling by the territory's electoral commission, warning that Beijing and pro-Beijing authorities are changing the deal" they have with Macau, despite its stability".