Leaders from various sectors in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday joined the chorus of voices backing the passage of a much-awaited decision to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR.
The business, political and academic heavyweights highlighted the significance and urgency of the decision to get the “one country, two systems” principle back on track and navigate the pandemic-stricken city through the crisis as it seeks a fresh start.
The city’s sound business environment and long-term prosperity are based on the enrichment of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ being safeguarded by the decision (to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR).
Yuen Mo, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
Their remarks came after the National People’s Congress, Chinese maindland’s top legislature, adopted a decision earlier in the day on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR.
The decision was passed by an overwhelming majority at the fourth session of the 13th NPC, which opened in Beijing on March 5 and concluded on Thursday.
Major political parties and business chambers said they believe the decision will help the city focus on its economy and people’s livelihoods, and bring more diverse voices into the governing structure.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the city’s largest political party, said it believes the decision will end years of infighting and let the city refocus on economic development and make a fresh start.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairperson of the New People’s Party, said the nine articles under the decision — such as the Election Committee being composed of 1,500 members from five sectors, and the Legislative Council being composed of 90 members, up from 1,200 and 70 members respectively — will help establish an Election Committee and LegCo that are broadly representative with enhanced public recognition.
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Allen Shi Lop-tak, president of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, said the decision enables the city’s improved electoral system to absorb opinions from diverse sectors and allows more experienced professionals to participate in legislative work under the principle of balanced participation.
Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a barrister and executive councilor, said the establishment of a candidate qualification review committee of the HKSAR will prevent those not genuinely interested in serving the HKSAR from entering the power structure, and will ensure the administration of the HKSAR by people from the HKSAR who are patriots.
Yuen Mo, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said the decision squarely addresses the obvious loopholes and deficiencies of the city’s current electoral system, through which anti-China forces and troublemakers use their power to destabilize the HKSAR.
“The city’s sound business environment and long-term prosperity are based on the enrichment of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ being safeguarded by the decision,” Yuen said.
Stable environment
David Wong Yau-kar, a two-term NPC deputy from the HKSAR and member of the Basic Law Promotion Committee, said he believes the decision will wipe out many obstacles to the development of the HKSAR, allowing society to focus more on tackling the most pressing issues, such as economy development, improvement of people’s livelihoods, and deep-rooted problems like land and housing, the disparity between the rich and the poor, and the lack of opportunities for youth.
Wong, who is also chairman of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, said that over the years, the HKSAR has been mired in political conflicts whose scope and complexity has hindered the healthy development of society. Now the city has gotten to the point where it cannot afford any more internal friction, he added.
Chan Ching-chuen, the HKSAR’s first academician of the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Engineering, said scientists really need a stable environment to explore the laws of nature for the interests of all mankind.
“Science has no borders, but scientists do. Under the decision, the HKSAR’s patriotic scientists and educators should go with an enhanced sense of mission, responsibility and ownership to play a bigger role in the grand story unfolding on the mainland, especially the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and bolster the HKSAR’s visions of becoming a world-renowned innovation and technology center,” Chan said.
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The New Territories School Heads Association said it hopes the improvements to better the electoral system could reduce the detrimental impact of political disputes on the city’s education community, getting local education back on track, and allowing students and educators to study and teach on peaceful campuses.
He Shusi and Zeng Xinlan contributed to this story.
