The call by some radicals for all opposition camp lawmakers to resign together is a “pointless political move” and a “symbolic gesture of defiance”, Hong Kong politicians and residents said on Friday.
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It only exposes the radical opposition’s selfishness and disregard for the public interest, they concurred, while urging those activists to abandon their radical political approaches and restore the normal functioning of the Hong Kong legislature in the coming year to help society contain the pandemic and revive the economy.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Tuesday endorsed the decision to allow the sixth Legislative Council to continue performing duties for no less than one year. However, some extreme “localists” urged the opposition lawmakers to boycott the one-year extension, and press for a LegCo election. The election, originally scheduled on Sept 6, was postponed for a year in view of the ongoing pandemic in the city.
Professor Song Sio-chong said opposition's rhetoric reflected the their lack of boundaries in acting only in their own interests. He believes Hong Kong residents will realize that those politicians are being irresponsible
Song Sio-chong, professor at the Research Center of Hong Kong and Macao Basic Law at Shenzhen University, said such rhetoric reflected the opposition’s lack of boundaries in acting only in their own interests. He believes Hong Kong residents will realize that those politicians are being irresponsible.
The decision reflected the central authorities’ trust in Hong Kong, Song said, as it leaves room for the special administrative region to work out the details.
Therefore, the LegCo president and the secretariat should take the initiative in maintaining the effective operation of the legislature, Song said.
According to Article 79 of the Basic Law, the LegCo president shall declare that a member of the council is no longer eligible for office when he or she is absent from meetings for three consecutive months with no valid reason and without the president’s consent.
Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the NPCSC, and Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the NPCSC, both believe the opposition is bluffing with its symbolic gesture and will eventually remain in the legislature. They just don’t want to appear receptive to Beijing’s decision, Tam Yiu-Chung pointed out.
So far, only one opposition lawmaker, Cheng Chung-tai, has announced that he will serve in the legislature for another year. The rest have still to reveal their intentions.
Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said that the opposition lawmakers realize that taking part in any “boycott” will affect their personal interests, including their high salaries and public attention.
Most opposition lawmakers are still “hesitant” to accept the decision because they need to make a gesture “in defiance” for their radical supporters and some Western countries, which had publicly demanded Hong Kong’s LegCo election take place as scheduled, Lau said.
A total of 41 pro-establishment legislators have already expressed their support for the decision and met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Wednesday to discuss the resumption of operations.
Lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan told China Daily that the pro-establishment camp will welcome the opposition back into the legislature and work together to promote public policies to help the economy and the people. She said her camp has always expected opposition colleagues to take part in the effective functioning of the legislature, but they have always turned a blind eye and resorted to political confrontation.
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Frankie Wong, a Hong Kong resident employed in the hospitality industry, hopes that lawmakers set aside their differences, steer clear of futile bickering and pass some bills that can benefit people’s livelihoods during the extended legislative term.
“Many people have lost their jobs. If the legislative councilors continue to waste time in meaningless political bickering under these circumstances, can they still call themselves representatives of the people?” Wong said.
Winnie Lin, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told China Daily that she expects legislators to work together to combat the pandemic, put people’s lives first, and support and cooperate with the Chinese mainland medical team in Hong Kong.
