The nation’s decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system is appropriate and progressive, and will benefit the city’s democratic development and long-term stability, the central government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong said on Thursday.
A spokesman for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region called on the local community to contribute to implementing the decision on improving Hong Kong’s electoral system, which was overwhelmingly passed earlier in the day by the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
According to the decision, the 1,200-strong Election Committee will have more functions, 300 additional members, and a more diverse composition. The enlarged Election Committee will also be responsible for electing a certain number of lawmakers, and nominating candidates for the chief executive post and the legislature
The spokesman said the measures in the NPC decision will be conducive to Hong Kong’s democracy and long-term stability, particularly through the reconstruction of the city’s Election Committee, which elects the chief executive.
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According to the decision, the 1,200-strong Election Committee will have more functions, 300 additional members, and a more diverse composition. The enlarged Election Committee will also be responsible for electing a certain number of lawmakers, and nominating candidates for the chief executive post and the legislature.
It will reflect the voice of a broader constituency, with more grassroots representatives, district organization members, and Hong Kong members of national bodies, such as the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body.
These improvements — including a reconstituted Election Committee, an expanded legislature with 20 additional seats, a different way of electing lawmakers, and a candidate qualification review committee — are expected to reflect the overall and fundamental interests of Hong Kong society, the spokesman said.
In this way, the electoral reform will enhance political participation by those from all walks of life and ensure the democratic rights of local residents and the quality of democracy they enjoy.
The spokesman also called on Hong Kong residents from all circles to make proposals to the Standing Committee of the NPC, which is empowered to amend Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law — provisions that prescribe the methods for selecting the chief executive and the formation and election of the Legislative Council.
With an improved electoral system, Hong Kong will be able to extricate itself from the long-standing “political mire” and achieve better governance, the spokesman said.
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The Liaison Office is convinced that the city will then be able to focus on resolving deep-seated problems, developing the economy, improving people’s livelihoods, as well as integrating itself into the overall development of the country, the spokesman said.
