Vote hailed as latest success of new electoral system

Strong positive energy

The election focused on development and people's well-being and brought together strong positive energy, said the office, noting that the goals and tenets of vision put forward by Lee in his announcement of his candidacy aroused a strong response and broad resonance in Hong Kong.

Recognizing the extensive, in-depth public participation, the office said the election fully demonstrated democracy. Since Lee announced his candidacy, he has visited people from all walks of life, conducted online exchanges of views and visited communities to extensively collect public opinion and introduce his election vision and manifesto.

It can be said that the process by which Lee formed and introduced his election manifesto was one of democratic consultation in Hong Kong society, the office said.

Lee got wide support, winning more than 99 percent of the votes, which fully reflects the high recognition he gained in Hong Kong society.

It is widely believed that Lee, who was promoted from a front-line police officer to chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, has rich grassroots experience and strong enforcement ability. He has taken a firm stand and stood the test with courage and sense of responsibility in the process of stopping violence and chaos and implementing the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.

The general public in Hong Kong has full trust in and high expectations for Lee, believing that he can recruit talent to form a new administration team of the HKSAR government, achieve goals with decisive administration, improve governance with an open mind, sincerely serve the public, and unite all sectors of society to write a new chapter.

Throughout the whole process of the chief executive election, there was no longer wanton confrontation or arbitrary attacks and smears.

The election was the true embodiment of the spirit of democracy, the office said.

It also said the success of the election has once again proved the advanced nature and strengths of the HKSAR's new electoral system.

In strictly implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," the new electoral system ensures the election of talented patriots, the office said.

President Xi Jinping has emphasized that to ensure the steady practice of "one country, two systems "in Hong Kong in the long run, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must always be upheld, the office noted.

"The criteria for a patriot are objective and clear," it said. "A patriot is one who sincerely safeguards China's national sovereignty, security and development interests, respects and upholds the fundamental system of the country and the constitutional order in the HKSAR, and goes all out for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong."

By preventing the forces that oppose China and seek to destabilize Hong Kong from participating in the HKSAR's government system, the new electoral system can ensure that the people elected to key public offices of the HKSAR are all firm patriots, the office said.

The new electoral system of the HKSAR is committed to the building and development of a high-quality democracy with Hong Kong characteristics, in which the position of Hong Kong people as their own masters is fully guaranteed, the office said.

The advantages and unique features of the new electoral system have been fully demonstrated in the three elections, it said.

First, the new system is broadly representative. Those who were elected are from various social groups, sectors and backgrounds and include a number of community-level and young people. They can extensively solicit opinions from the public and help smooth the operation of channels for different groups to make their voices heard regarding their rights and interests.

Second, the system is politically inclusive. Participants represent various political groups, espousing different political philosophies. Upholding the principle of loving the country and Hong Kong, the new electoral system has ensured inclusiveness and diversity to the greatest possible extent.

Third, it ensures balanced participation. The design of the HKSAR's new electoral system takes into consideration the different interests of all sectors of the Hong Kong community, better striking a balance among the overall interests of Hong Kong and the interests of various sectors and different areas.

Fourth, the system guarantees fair competition. The candidates try their best to persuade voters by focusing on their competitiveness in professional ability, election manifesto, ideas and sense of responsibility and contribution, making the election more rational, fairer and better organized. In this way, the new electoral system ensures that the process reflects popular will, pools people's wisdom and serves the good of the public. It is a broad-based and real democracy that works, the office said.