HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) concluded its seventh election of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on December 20. Ninety elected lawmakers from a total of 153 candidates, with different backgrounds and across the political spectrum, make up the first legislature established since the region’s electoral system was improved in March. The election is considered momentous in the development of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.
Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, the main functions of the LegCo are to enact laws, examine and approve budgets, taxation and public expenditure, and monitor the work of the government. It also has the power to endorse the appointment and removal of the judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the chief judge of the High Court. The improved electoral model highlights fairness and competition. LegCo membership has increased from 70 to 90, with 40 returned by the Election Committee, 30 by functional constituencies, and 20 by geographical constituencies. All seats are contested and no one can be automatically elected, marking an unprecedented feat since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997. Conventional canvassing like visits to voters and promotional campaigns aside, the process witnessed 144 forums, giving candidates a stage to show themselves and further engage with the public.
According to a poll conducted by Hong Kong-based think tank the Bauhinia Institute, 36 percent of voters primarily focused on the candidates’ policy positions and proposals, followed by their campaign performance (29.3 percent), political experience (16.8 percent), political party background (10.8 percent) and public image (5.2 percent). Representing different political groups and factions, candidates held different political ideas, some of which rather far removed from those of the current SAR government in the eyes of Hong Kong residents.
Nevertheless, they got a shot at nomination, election even, under the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong,” the final yea or nay resting with Hong Kong citizens.
The diversity among the newly elected legislators demonstrates the broad representation and political inclusiveness of the improved electoral system.
Take the 40 members elected by the Election Committee constituency, for example. Among them, there are experienced veterans who have previously served as LegCo members and a couple of new faces. Consisting of representatives of business, academia and the professions, as well as workers, employees and operators of small and medium-sized businesses from the primary level, they are expected to balance the overall interests of Hong Kong with those of different sectors and districts.
From a broader viewpoint, this LegCo election enables a group of highly capable patriots to participate in the administration of Hong Kong, with the council no longer acting as the stumbling block to local development and the catalyst behind a wrecked relationship between the Central Government and the SAR.
Poised to function more effectively, positive interactions between the LegCo and executive body can hopefully better realize policies to resolve deep-rooted social issues, improve the people’s livelihood and promote sustainable economic growth.
– The Daily Mail-Beijing Review News exchange item
