HK society pins hopes on 1st election under revamped system

Various sectors of Hong Kong society voiced their expectations of the 2021 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections, the first polls under the city's new electoral system. The elections started Sunday at 9 am and will end at 6pm.

Here is what some of them told China Daily:

Michael Chong

Hong Kong Baptist University student

I expect the Election Committee members to carry out their duties in a fair and honest manner. The election is a good step for Hong Kong, after experiencing the riots and protests in 2019.

Hopefully with these changes in the election method, things will be better, people will be happier and Hong Kong will move forward.

Jason Lee

Executive vice-chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association, treasurer of Hong Kong Y Elites Association

Hong Kong is in urgent need of reformists to solve its deep-rooted social problems. Now, with the new election law, we can look forward to many more capable individuals willing to devote themselves to genuine public service, more substantial debates and more tangible results for the city's development.

I sincerely call on all skeptics to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and the essence of democracy — quality politics and good governance — a future that all Hong Kong people desire.

Kevin Lau Chung-hang

Radiologist, non-official member of the Commission on Poverty in Hong Kong

The election is one big step for Hong Kong in electing real patriots to nominate qualified candidates for chief executive and lawmakers.

I hope Election Committee members will bring constructive voices to the committee and society. It's also important for them to be visionary in seeing the many new opportunities for Hong Kong, such as the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and how the plan relates to people's lives. They need to play a crucial role in helping the SAR government to work with LegCo and connect with the public.

Regina Ip

Hong Kong lawmaker

A reduction in competition does not equate with a deterioration of the quality of those returned under the new system. On the contrary, the new Election Committee will be much more balanced, competent, more broadly representative of their constituencies, and, above all, much more likely to ensure that patriots will govern Hong Kong.

Wu Yingpeng

Barrister in Hong Kong

This is Hong Kong's first election since the electoral reform.

I consider the expanded and broadly representative Election Committee can better reflect the overall interest of Hong Kong. As it breaks through the limitations of certain sectors or groups, interests of various sectors can be better represented in this new electoral system.

Furthermore, according to the newly amended Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law, the reconstructed Election Committee is not only responsible for nominating and electing the Chief Executive, but also has the function of nominating all the candidates for the legislative council, and electing 40 legislators. This would strengthen Hong Kong's executive-led political system and improve the working relationship between the government and the Legislative Council.

I have full confidence that the New Election Committee will effectively safeguard the constitutional order as set out by the Constitution and the Basic Law and good governance in Hong Kong.