HK residents voice support for improvement of electoral system

HONG KONG - Chan Ping-yuk, 66, wrote her signature carefully on an autograph book Friday morning at a promotional booth set up on Nathan Road for a campaign in support of a decision of the national legislature to improve Hong Kong's electoral system.

"I was born and grew here. The (decision of the) nation is for Hong Kong's good. Why shouldn't I support (it)?" the retired woman said.

Nathan Road, as the main thoroughfare of Hong Kong's Kowloon, links busy shopping districts of Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and it is lined with shops and restaurants and packed by visitors.

However, the street was frequently ransacked by rioters during the social unrest in 2019, because of which many shops used to put up protective planks against vandalism.

"I was really sad to see the place is trashed. I am 66 years old but rational. People who commit crimes should be put in prison, and it is illegal to subvert peace of Hong Kong," she said.

The area has come to life again after the national security law in Hong Kong took effect on June 30, 2020.

Lobo Fung, a property manager who volunteered to run the booth, also remembered clearly the devastating blows delivered by violent incidents to the livelihoods of Hong Kong people. "As the society was in chaos, people's work and life were unstable."

"Hong Kong should be administered by those who love it, and Hong Kong people need a stable society," he said.

Shortly after Fung set up the booth, he was overwhelmed by passersby who stopped to sign their names. Such a scene occurred on Friday at more than 1,000 promotional booths placed across Hong Kong as local people actively expressed their support for the decision adopted by the National People's Congress Thursday in Beijing.

A resident surnamed Chow helped his six-year-old daughter sign her name outside the Wan Chai metro station.

"My father told me that we should love and support our country," the little girl said. Confirming his daughter's words, Chow said, "Whenever we saw 'black terror' violence (over the past years), I taught her that we are Chinese and we love our country. She learned it well."

Chow's remarks were echoed by William Liu, a retired teacher.

"Most Hong Kong people hope Hong Kong will continue to be harmonious, peaceful and prosperous. We don't want illegal activities of anti-China disruptors," he said. "They will exert a bad influence on our younger generation for a long time. We must right the wrongs."

At the entrance of Tsuen Wan Park, New Territories, a resident surnamed Lau wrote her name without any hesitation. "Of course I support (the NPC decision). Stop messing up Hong Kong. I will be just happy as long as Hong Kong returns to prosperity and stability," she said.

Lau, working in the transportation sector, said she was heartbroken to see the fallout of social unrest and she volunteered to brief people in her neighborhood about the national security law in Hong Kong last year.

"We, Hong Kong people, truly wish the best of Hong Kong and the best of our country," she said.