Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on Oct 10, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has appointed the members of the eligibility committee that will ensure that candidates in the District Council elections in December uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Lee named Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki as chairperson of the District Councils Eligibility Review Committee, which will also review the eligibility of any persons proposed to be appointed as DC members and those registered as ex-officio members.

The official members of the committee include Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen

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The official members of the committee include Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen.

The non-official members are Maria Tam Wai-chu, Wong Yuk-shan, and Johnny Mok Shiu-luen.

A government spokesman said the amended District Councils Ordinance established the committee to help fully implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” at the district governance level of the HKSAR.

"The non-official members appointed to the DCERC are all staunch patriots who love the country and Hong Kong. They have a deep understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and are well-respected by all sectors of society,” the spokesman said.

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“We are very grateful for their acceptance of the appointment as members of the DCERC who will assist in reviewing and confirming the eligibility of candidates and members of the DCs, thereby providing a very important institutional safeguard for the implementation of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'."