The straightforward message delivered by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to Hong Kong legislators —“Hong Kong citizens are watching you, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is watching you, and the central authorities are watching you” — represents a refreshing affirmation of what accountability should mean in any functioning government. Speaking at Monday’s seminar organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Xia delivered a clear-eyed assessment of legislators’ responsibilities under the executive-led system enshrined in the Basic Law.
Rather than seeing these remarks as pressure, we should recognize them as a timely reminder of the fundamental compact between elected representatives and the communities they serve. In any democratic system, accountability flows from the simple premise that public officials answer to someone for something. In Hong Kong’s case, legislators answer to their constituents, to the government they are meant to support and scrutinize, and ultimately to the constitutional framework that governs the SAR.
The Basic Law guarantees that the principles and policies regarding Hong Kong will remain unchanged for 50 years, and lays down an executive-led system headed by the chief executive. This constitutional design is not arbitrary. It retains what has worked well in the old system; namely, governance efficiency, which contributed significantly to the city’s past success on both the social and economic fronts, while providing the central government with an effective mechanism to maintain its sovereign power and overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR.
Xia’s emphasis on legislative duties as lawmakers’ primary responsibility addresses a practical concern that has occasionally plagued Hong Kong’s governance: The phenomenon of legislators treating their seats as platforms for other pursuits rather than focusing on the serious work of lawmaking and policy advice. When Xia said that “regardless of how many other public duties they hold, their top priority must be Legislative Council work”, he was articulating what should be obvious — that the people of Hong Kong deserve representatives whose attention is undivided.
The timing of these remarks could not be more pertinent. Hong Kong’s momentum as an initial public offering venue is set to hurtle onward in 2026 after funds raised from share sales more than tripled in 2025, placing the city’s exchange atop the global rankings for the first time since 2019. This economic resurgence demonstrates that when Hong Kong’s governance structures function effectively — with clear coordination between the executive and legislative branches — the results speak for themselves.
lected officials are held accountable to their positions mainly through information provided to the public through the media, and when the media focuses attention on data trends associated with these positions, constituents are then able to use this information to retrospectively vote for or against an incumbent based on their performance in office
Moreover, Hong Kong stands at a critical juncture as we align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). The central government has pledged to support Hong Kong’s deeper integration into and contribution to national development in the latest five-year blueprint, supporting Hong Kong and Macao to “better integrate into and serve the national development strategy, strengthen cooperation between the two cities and the mainland in economy, trade, science and technology, and culture”. This presents unprecedented opportunities, but also demands legislative competence and responsiveness.
Consider the Northern Metropolis development, a transformative 30,000-hectare project that will serve as an engine for Hong Kong’s future growth and deeper integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Northern Metropolis is crucial to Hong Kong’s socioeconomic development, providing impetus for the growth of innovation and technology as well as other industries, enabling more in-depth participation in the development of the Greater Bay Area. Such ambitious undertakings require lawmakers who can move swiftly and decisively when approving necessary legislation and infrastructure projects.
Xia’s call for legislators to be mindful of their words and actions — their public image — also reflects a mature understanding of governance in the modern era. Elected officials are held accountable to their positions mainly through information provided to the public through the media, and when the media focuses attention on data trends associated with these positions, constituents are then able to use this information to retrospectively vote for or against an incumbent based on their performance in office. In an age of instant communication and social media scrutiny, every statement and gesture carries weight.
The emphasis on the executive-led system should not be misunderstood as diminishing the legislature’s importance. Rather, it clarifies roles and responsibilities. The three branches are interrelated with delegated powers and functions to discharge their constitutional duty under the executive-led system, and they complement each other with the common goal of advancing Hong Kong’s interests. This coordination, not confrontation, has proved essential during challenging periods — from the Asian financial crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic — when Hong Kong needed decisive governance backed by legislative support.
Drawing lessons from Macao’s experience with special legislation for major development projects, as Xia reportedly highlighted through the participation of Macao’s Legislative Assembly First Secretary Si Ka Lon, demonstrates the value of cross-jurisdictional learning within the “one country, two systems” framework. Both special administrative regions face similar challenges in balancing development imperatives with proper legislative scrutiny.
Ultimately, Xia’s message reflects a simple truth: Accountability is not a burden but a privilege of public service. Hong Kong’s eighth-term Legislative Council has the opportunity to show that “patriots administering Hong Kong” means effective, responsive, and dedicated governance. With Hong Kong residents watching, the SAR government watching, and the central authorities watching, the legislators have every incentive to perform their duties with excellence — and that benefits everyone.
The author is the convenor at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
