This undated photo shows the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The central government’s liaison office on Sunday hailed Hong Kong’s 2022 chief executive election as a demonstration of the advancement and advantages of the city’s improved electoral system and another successful example of exploring a democracy path with Hong Kong characteristics. 

In a statement, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region congratulated John Lee Ka-chiu after he scored a resounding victory in the election, securing 1,416 “support” votes, or 99.16 percent of the ballots cast by the Election Committee members tasked with nominating and electing the SAR’s chief executive.  

Lee’s election manifesto highlighted reforms and a results-oriented approach to address the concerns of the community

Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR

Lee’s victory also shows that he’s widely recognized and accepted by the people of Hong Kong, the liaison office said. 

The statement said Sunday’s chief executive election – the third of three major polls held following the introduction of the new electoral system – was fair and orderly, and in accordance with the law.

The election, which is also in line with further implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, was organized in a rational, united and enterprising manner, fully showcasing the improved electoral system’s advantages in choosing leaders who are capable of uniting patriots, the office said.

It has again proved that the new electoral system is good – a system that works for Hong Kong and is in line with “one country, two systems”, the statement said, adding that the office has full confidence in the path to democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.

During Lee’s election campaign, more than 47,000 views and suggestions were collected from about 13,000 Hong Kong residents through an online platform. This is a living embodiment of the residents’ keen hopes for a bright future.

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Lee’s election manifesto has also taken the opinions of various sectors into consideration, and highlighted reforms and a results-oriented approach to address the concerns of the community, the liaison office said.

The office hopes that Lee will live up to the people’s expectations and unite the city in fully and accurately implementing “one country, two systems” to usher in a new chapter of prosperity for Hong Kong, which marks the 25th anniversary this year of its return to the motherland and a new phase of the “one country, two systems” principle.