Hong Kong abandons mandatory classes seen as pro-Beijing By the CNN Wire Staff September 9, 2012 -- Updated 0646 GMT (1446 HKT) China subject prompts HK protests It's up to the individual schools, Hong Kong government says The curriculum is called "Moral and National Education" Residents have been angered by the subject matter Hong Kong (CNN) -- The Hong Kong government has scrapped plans to introduce a mandatory Chinese civic education subject critics had slammed as pro-mainland propaganda. The decision came on the eve of local elections and after a series of protests including a 10-day hunger strike on the steps of the government headquarters. C.Y. Leung, the city's chief executive, announced Saturday that individual schools would have the option to adopt the controversial curriculum called "Moral and National Education." "We're giving the authority to the schools," he said. This is very much in line with our school-based education policy. A coalition of concern group had protested against the subject which they said amounted to "brainwashing" impressionable young minds with pro-mainland Chinese propaganda. The course material had been outlined in a government booklet called "The China Model," which was distributed to schools in July. China's ruling party is "progressive, selfless and united," the booklet said. It criticized multi-party systems as bringing disaster to countries such as the United States. The booklet also makes no mention of major events that many view as integral to China's history, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Hong Kong has a large degree of autonomy from the Beijing government as part of the agreement made with Britain after the 1997 transfer of power. Despite the administrative separation from China, Hong Kong's 7 million residents are not allowed to vote for the territory's leadership. That role is filled by a chief executive appointed by a small group of specially -selected influential people. However, the territory's leadership has made moves toward introducing universal suffrage, and on Sunday millions are eligible to vote for 40 seats in the 70-member Legislative Council. The remainder will be appointed by a small group of electors. Leung has denied the government back-down on national education was timed to avoid a voter backlash in Sunday's election, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). "If it hadn't been for the decision of the last administration, national education would not have been on the agenda of this government," Leung said. I would rather concentrate on housing, poverty and other livelihood issues. I've held numerous talks with the chief secretary on major policymaking, [and] none of our conversations ever touched on national education," he added, according to the SCMP. Saturday's back down follows a number of major protests, the most recent of which was on Saturday when an estimated 100,000 protesters gathered outside government headquarters, according to organizers. CNN's Alexis Lai contributed to this report. September 10, 2012 -- Updated 0526 GMT (1326 HKT) I come from a place where the sky is always grey, where flowers are always grey, and where television is still in black and white. September 10, 2012 -- Updated 0913 GMT (1713 HKT) Oil and gas companies in the United States have developed a massive appetite for guar gum powder -- a key ingredient in a process called fracking. September 10, 2012 -- Updated 0815 GMT (1615 HKT) The Paralympics gave us stories of courage and athleticism. So why did the USA largely ignore the event? September 6, 2012 -- Updated 2347 GMT (0747 HKT) Watch this technical breakthrough. A robot that can run faster than the world's fastest man. CNN's Jonathan Mann reports. September 8, 2012 -- Updated 2132 GMT (0532 HKT) Medics in the Dar alShifa hospital in Aleppo, Syria, are forced to take life-changing decisions every day. September 7, 2012 -- Updated 0924 GMT (1724 HKT) Having established itself as Apple's top tablet competitor, Amazon will now go head to head with the category-defining iPad on its own turf. September 7, 2012 -- Updated 1800 GMT (0200 HKT) Contributors offer their assessments on the speeches from the third and final night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. September 6, 2012 -- Updated 1858 GMT (0258 HKT) As Bill Clinton walked out onto the stage of the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, there was love in the air. September 6, 2012 -- Updated 1108 GMT (1908 HKT) When I think back on this past week and the rollercoaster of emotions I have experienced, I realize that everything happens for a reason. September 6, 2012 -- Updated 0829 GMT (1629 HKT) Europe's leaders are battling to keep the eurozone and the wider European Union together in the face of unprecedented crisis. September 3, 2012 -- Updated 1501 GMT (2301 HKT) David Frum: The drought in the U.S., Russia and Australia is driving up food prices -- and that's long been tied to unrest among the world's poor.