The flag-raising ceremony is held at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Oct 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong’s democracy will usher in a new age of quality and substantive development under the guidance of the white paper on the city’s democracy, the central and special administrative region government officials and lawmakers-elect said at a seminar on Thursday.

Their remarks came after President Xi Jinping praised Hong Kong’s new electoral system and its democratic development after hearing a work report over the past year from HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Wednesday.

Before Lam’s visit to Beijing, the State Council Information Office released a white paper on Monday titled “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, which outlined the development and the future direction of the democratic system in Hong Kong.

In a keynote speech on Thursday, Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, stressed that the white paper on HK's democracy indicated that the city needs a quality democracy that benefits its overall interests, instead of a toxic one that hampers people’s livelihoods

In a keynote speech on Thursday, Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, stressed that the document indicated that Hong Kong needs a quality democracy that benefits the city’s overall interests, instead of a toxic one that hampers people’s livelihoods.

Over the years, with the support of the central government, Hong Kong residents enjoyed well-protected democratic rights and freedoms, as well as broad channels and space for political participation, Chen said.

ALSO READ: Central govt: Attempt to undermine HK stability will fail

He pointed out that local anti-China activists and the external forces behind them are the real culprits in hindering the democratic progress in Hong Kong, citing their series of moves to smear the improved election system and the National Security Law for Hong Kong. These acts have created  social rifts and conflicts, chaos and instability in Hong Kong, and undermined the interests and wellbeing of the local residents.

Hours before the white paper was released, Hong Kong successfully held the city’s first Legislative Council election after the electoral revamp and announced the results of a new 90-member legislature.

Chen said the election results are a vivid demonstration of Hong Kong’s transition to a high-quality democracy that consolidates social consensus and maintains social justice and order.

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu casts his vote in the 2021 Legislative Council General Election at Yaumati Kaifong Association School on Dec 19, 2021. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu said the white paper is of great significance as it provides a full account of the facts and history and strongly refutes the unfounded allegations made by some Western countries made on HK’s election and its democratic system

At the same event, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu said the white paper is of great significance as it provides a full account of the facts and history and strongly refutes the unfounded allegations made by some Western countries made on Hong Kong’s election and its democratic system.

Lee said the SAR government will work with all sectors in Hong Kong to ensure a steady development of democracy under the “one country, two systems” principle.

READ MORE: Lawmaker-elect vows to drive city's economy forward

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and a lawmaker-elect, said that Sunday’s Legislative Council election was another juncture of Hong Kong’s democratic development, adding that she will commit to further advancing the city’s democratic practices and promoting to the world its advantages.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of the Executive Council and a lawmaker-elect, said that she believes the new Legislative Council will function in an orderly and efficient manner to improve the city’s governance and solve pressing livelihood issues.