Heavyweights from Hong Kong’s political and business sectors on Sunday said the patriots-led governance will boost Hong Kong’s development under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
Their comments came as the National People’s Congress deliberated a draft outline for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 at the top legislature’s annual session in Beijing.
A draft decision on improving Hong Kong’s electoral system was deliberated at the same session.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said a sound electoral system and patriots-led governance will ensure the effective governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as its prosperous development
On his blog, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said a sound electoral system and patriots-led governance will ensure the effective governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as its prosperous development.
The amendments to the electoral system will remove the menace that endangers national security and Hong Kong’s interests, and prevent the city’s legislature from descending into chaos, like it experienced in recent years, Chan said.
“In this way, we will be able to focus our efforts on promoting and enhancing the development of Hong Kong in all aspects, and gradually sort out the deep-seated economic and livelihood issues in Hong Kong,” Chan said.
ALSO READ: HK deputies: Improved system to bring brighter future for HK
Witman Hung Wai-man, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, said an improved electoral system will lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s development, particularly in terms of integrating with the Chinese mainland.
In the past, many cooperation projects between Hong Kong and the mainland have been stymied or delayed because not everyone who runs Hong Kong is a “patriot”, said Hung, who is also the principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority.
Now, the central government’s 14th Five-Year Plan has provided a greater platform for Hong Kong to work with the mainland cities and consolidate its competitive advantages, Hung noted. This has prompted Hong Kong to improve its electoral system as soon as possible, to create a stable political environment and forge community consensus for active participation in the development of the country, he added.
Given the importance of the electoral system improvement to Hong Kong’s future success, Leung Chun-ying, a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the city needs to persevere with its efforts to explain to the community the reasons, necessity and urgency for improving the electoral system.
READ MORE: Leung firmly supports improving HKSAR electoral system
About 40 youth representatives from various sectors on Sunday attended a seminar organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations, expressing their hope for the early implementation of the “patriots governing Hong Kong”.
They also called on Hong Kong people to fully understand the reasons for the principle and benefits it will bring.
Hong Kong people should have confidence in the central government and support the improvements which the city urgently needs, said Albert Chuang Ka-pun, a member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Youth Federation.
