About four years ago, the State Council Information Office issued a white paper, titled “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, outlining the central government’s principled position on democratic development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It emphasized that developing and optimizing democracy in the SAR is of great significance in safeguarding residents’ democratic rights, achieving good governance, and ensuring the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.
Judging from the favorable socioeconomic developments in Hong Kong in recent years, it becomes increasingly evident that the new electoral system installed in 2021 fits well with the city’s condition, and thus is a good system for it. This has strengthened Hong Kong’s confidence and determination to pursue high-quality democracy.
Under British rule, there was no democracy in Hong Kong to speak of, except for some electoral tinkering initiated by the last governor, Chris Patten, just a few years before the 1997 handover. It was only after the city’s return to China that democratic development began in earnest.
The Basic Law confers upon Hong Kong both the constitutional right and responsibility to develop its democratic system, with Articles 45 and 68 defining the core elements of its democratic system and the principles guiding its gradual development. The Basic Law also guarantees residents’ extensive democratic rights and freedoms. Notably, it stipulates that Hong Kong residents with Chinese citizenship can participate in managing State affairs; permanent residents who are not Chinese nationals also enjoy a broad range of political rights, including the right to vote and stand for election — a level of political openness and inclusiveness that is rarely seen elsewhere around the world.
The development of democracy in Hong Kong is now in line with the actual situation in the region. Since the handover, the city’s democratic practice has experienced some setbacks that brought painful lessons. Fortunately, it has returned onto the right track following the implementation of an improved electoral system in May 2021, that fully takes into account the reality of Hong Kong as an international metropolis and a highly diverse society. The new system features broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation, and fair competition. It fixes the loopholes and deficiencies that existed in the old electoral framework, putting the “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle into full practice. The favorable socioeconomic development over the past few years has proved that the new electoral system is conducive to Hong Kong’s prosperity, stability, and long-term good governance.
Democracy is now developing in an orderly manner and in accordance with law. Prior to the implementation of the new electoral system, the Legislative Council (LegCo) failed to function normally for months, if not years. For example, during the 2019-20 legislative year, the House Committee of the sixth LegCo was paralyzed by the obstructionists for over eight months. As a result, as many as 14 bills could not be deliberated in a timely manner; over 80 pieces of subsidiary legislation were not handled before their deadlines. In sharp contrast, the seventh-term LegCo, formed under the new electoral system, passed 130 bills within its four-year term — an increase of 60 percent compared to its predecessor. It promptly addressed major issues hindering Hong Kong’s efforts to boost the economy, pursue development, and improve people’s livelihoods, contributing significantly to good governance.
Take, for instance, its support for the executive branch’s efforts to improve people’s lives. The seventh-term LegCo passed the Basic Housing Units Ordinance, paving the way for the gradual elimination of substandard subdivided units, and enacted the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025, which provided a legal basis for regulating ride-hailing services after years of debate.
In terms of economic development, LegCo supported tax incentives and talent policies proposed by the executive, legislated on emerging sectors such as digital assets and Islamic finance, and backed the growth of green technology and cultural and creative industries. It also facilitated the implementation of policies such as enabling Hong Kong and Macao lawyers to practice throughout the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and allowing cross-boundary use of research funding.
Most notably, on March 19, 2024, the seventh-term LegCo unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, fulfilling the SAR’s constitutional responsibility of enacting legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. This ordinance is expected to play an increasingly vital role in safeguarding Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
Reflecting on Hong Kong’s democratic development, one truth becomes clearer than ever: The central government does not restrict the development of democracy in Hong Kong; it simply hopes that the SAR develops high-quality democracy under the principle of “one country, two systems”. The efficiency and effectiveness of the seventh-term LegCo have provided strong institutional support for the SAR in achieving the current state of good governance, which is crucial to economic revitalization. This validates the central government’s policy on democratic development in Hong Kong, as articulated in the white paper.
Good democracy fosters good governance, and in turn, good governance lays the foundation for prosperity. Since assuming office, the incumbent administration has achieved remarkable progress with LegCo’s support. Hong Kong continues to rank among the world’s freest economies, holds the third position globally in competitiveness, and maintains its position as the world’s third-ranked financial hub. Several local universities have made significant progress in global rankings. According to the latest data, Hong Kong’s GDP grew by 3.8 percent year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter of this year.
As Hong Kong prepares for the Dec 7 election, public confidence in building high-quality democracy has never been stronger. With steady steps and prudent exploration, Hong Kong is steadily forging a smoother path for democratic development
These achievements underscore a fundamental principle: Democracy and socioeconomic development must reinforce one another. Democracy should serve as a stepping stone for progress — not a stumbling block.
Enhancing the quality of democracy is now the central task in Hong Kong’s democratic development, and high-quality elections are a crucial link in this process. In the upcoming LegCo election on Dec 7, 161 candidates are competing for 90 seats. The vibrant atmosphere surrounding the election reflects two major trends.
First, competition is robust. The number of candidates in geographical constituencies has increased by 45.7 percent compared to the previous election. Each geographical constituency has more than five candidates contesting two seats, with some constituencies seeing as many as six candidates vying for two spots. In functional constituencies, 60 candidates are competing for 30 seats; and 50 candidates for 40 seats in the Election Committee constituency. Voters now have a broader range of choices and can select the best from among the many.
Second, the competition is healthy. The candidates’ policy platforms reveal a focus on both macro and micro issues — from developing the Northern Metropolis and advancing emerging industries to addressing the needs of an aging population, improving community facilities, managing old buildings, and enhancing recreational amenities.Candidates sell ideas, vision, and proposals that offer solutions, instead of resorting to grandstanding or ploys such as character assassination.
What residents need are capable individuals who can improve people’s livelihoods — not political opportunists engaged in endless confrontation. The central government hopes that legislators will work in tandem with the administration to open a new chapter of development, instead of wasting time in internal strife.
As Hong Kong prepares for the Dec 7 election, public confidence in building high-quality democracy has never been stronger. With steady steps and prudent exploration, Hong Kong is steadily forging a smoother path for democratic development.
The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
