HOW TO THINK ABOUT IT

Too close to the sun? While pro-democracy activists are celebrating this as a David over Goliath victory, it could potentially spark a backlash from Chinese authorities. While President Xi Jinping (pictured) could offer political reforms as an option, given Hong Kong’s clear support of its protesters, it’s more likely that China will clamp down even harder on Hong Kong and potentially reduce its autonomy further.

Not over. While the day was largely peaceful, police are still conducting a siege of Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University, where classes have been suspended since Nov. 12 and police have arrested more than 1,000 protesters. A small group is still hiding out inside, though, and victorious pro-democracy politicians have called for an end to the siege. Police negotiators and aid workers are expected to attempt to convince the stragglers to leave soon.

Next steps. The Democratic Party, now Hong Kong’s biggest governing party, is calling for the city to accede to demands made by the protest movement that has roiled the city for months. They also want Lam to step down. But, leaders say, they’ll also focus on livelihood issues for regular Hongkongers — aware that if people’s lives don’t change, the electoral gains made Sunday could be reversed in the next election.

WHAT TO READ

Hong Kong Win Will Embolden the Protesters, by Joe Leahy in the Financial Times
“Despite concerns of violence, the vote was peaceful. There were no clashes between police and black-clad protesters, just candidates and their supporters waving to passersby.”

The Young Winners Who Unseated Political Veterans, on the BBC
“These elections saw many young and novice candidates take on political heavyweights - in the name of Hong Kong's democracy movement - and emerge victorious.”

WHAT TO WATCH