Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second from right) and Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman David Lok Kai-hong (second from left) join commission members to empty a ballot box on Dec 11, 2023 at the Queen’s College counting station. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Results of the seventh District Council Ordinary Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were unveiled on Monday, with 176 District Committees constituency councilors and 88 District Council geographical constituency councilors elected. The newly-elected members of the District Committees will begin their four-year term on Jan 1, 2024.

Over 1.19 million geographical constituency electors participated in the election, and all election arrangements reflected the principles of transparency, honesty and fairness, said David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission when meeting the media on Monday morning.

The 399 candidates were of diverse backgrounds, including young entrepreneurs, senior professionals, those who have been rooted in the community for decades, as well as new immigrants and ethnic minorities. What they have in common is great enthusiasm and professionalism and a love for their country and Hong Kong and a desire to serve the people.

There was competition for each of the 264 directly elected and indirectly elected seats. The candidates had in-depth exchanges and interactions with the public, fully demonstrating their commitment to serve Hong Kong residents.

The election excluded anti-China and other disruptive elements from the SAR governance system, effectively implemented the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", and opened a new chapter in the regional governance of the SAR.

As one of the four major elections after the SAR improved its electoral system, this election demonstrated the vitality of Hong Kong's improved electoral system, proving that the amended Hong Kong electoral system is now better able to reflect the interests of all sectors of Hong Kong society and thus enhance governance in the SAR.

The stability and development of Hong Kong since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in June 2020 indicates that as long as the SAR unswervingly implements the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and steadily follows a path of democratic development that is in line with Hong Kong's reality, it will provide a solid political guarantee for the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" framework in Hong Kong. The new district councilors are expected to serve the grassroots communities, collect and reflect public opinion, promote and implement government policy measures, ensuring that all residents in Hong Kong can enjoy the benefits of improved governance in the SAR.