HK democracy to advance with a new system

A group of Hong Kong public figures expressed confidence on Tuesday that an improved electoral system by the National People's Congress will promote Hong Kong's democratic development.

They said the improved system will ensure the city's core political organs, namely the Election Committee and the Legislative Council, represent more voices in the city.

Their comments came as delegations of the nation's top legislature deliberated a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the ongoing fourth session of the 13th NPC, before voting on Thursday.

Elsie Leung Oi-sie, former deputy director of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee, said she supported to expand the size of the existing 1,200-member Election Committee of the Chief Executive, allowing it to have more seats from different sectors. She also backs to entrust the committee of electing a relatively large share of LegCo members.

At the same time, she agreed that the expanded election committee should be given power to vet candidates standing for public office elections, as well as to scrutinize current term officials throughout their tenure.

Leung said this would fix the flaws of the existing arrangement relying solely on the returning officers to determine the eligibility of candidates. The returning officers in charge of different elections may adopt different criteria. They also lack authority to monitor the performance of the elected person upon taking office.

In Leung's opinion, opposition politicians will not be barred from participating in governance, as long as they support the central and local governments. On the other hand, if pro-establishment lawmakers failed to work well and lose support of the people during their four-year term, they will not hold onto the seat forever, she added.

Andrew Yao Cho-fai, one of the 36 Hong Kong NPC deputies attending the two sessions in Beijing, said he was excited about improving the city's electoral system and the implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong".

He hoped that youth and women-focused groups will receive tickets to the revised election committee, since issues concerning these two groups received relatively little attention so far.

Eric Fok Kai-shan, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong United Youth Association and executive chairman of the Hong Kong Guangdong Youth Association, said that "patriots administering Hong Kong" is not a new concept, but a minimum requirement for the "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" principle.

Fok stressed that upholding the principle and improving the city's electoral system will not only safeguard the steady and sustained development of "one country, two systems", but also enable the city to continue to play its part to help the country maintain foreign markets and investors.

gangwen@chinadaily.com.cn