Lam’s win expected to heal rifts, ameliorate HK- mainland relations
Editor’s Note:
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet- ngor was elected as the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region with 777 votes on Sunday to be the first female to hold the job. What is the significance of her success? How will the relationship between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong develop? The Global Times talked with two experts on the issue.
Zhang Dinghuai, deputy director of the Center for the Basic Laws of Hong Kong and Macao at Shenzhen University
Lam’s election win is a reflection of her reputation in Hong Kong under the current political system. It also shows that Hong Kong is very concerned about the attitude of the central government. Lam mentioned in her victory speech that she would heal the rifts and wounds in Hong Kong. What she will do next to achieve the goal remains to be seen.
In terms of rifts and wounds, the first problem is the struggles of the youth. In recent years, class mobilization in Hong Kong has become increasingly difficult. Lam says she would try to give young people in Hong Kong more opportunities for upward mobilization. In addition, Lam also needs to improve people’s livelihood and bridge the gap between the establishment and the society. As the first female chief executive of Hong Kong, Lam can make use of her gentle charm to solve these problems.
Lam said she would try her best to uphold the principle of one country, two systems and guard the city’s core values. This reflects the return of Hong Kong society to rationality. One country, two systems is a successful policy. It respects the differences between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong while maintaining the stability and prosperity of the latter.
Hong Kong also needs to consider how to better participate in the Beijing- led One Belt and One Road initiative so as to promote its economic devel- opment. In the future, Hong Kong will face two main issues – how to smoothly implement the reform of the political system under the Basic Law and how to stabilize Hong Kong society in the midst of various political and social problems. Both the central government and Hong Kong need to make more efforts in these regards. With the help and support from the mainland, it is believed that Hong Kong can look forward to a bright future.
Tian Feilong, a legal expert and associate professor at Beihang University
Lam’s win is a sign that Beijing has attached more importance to the role that the leader of the special administration region plays in policymaking and governance in the city.
After years of political confrontation and social movements in the city, Hong Kong’s policymakers start to think about the city’s future development and how to cooperate positively with the central gov- ernment. Thus, the majority of the votes went to the candidate whom Beijing trusts.
Lam, with her abundant political experience, is a capable leader to carry out comprehensive reforms and make decisions for the next five years. She is set to focus on economic development and improvement in the Hongkongers’ livelihood, resolving social conflicts and tension between the city and the Chinese mainland.
Lam’s win is also a reflection of the same goal between Hong Kong and the central government. It is to promote the economic integration and social welfare so as to unite a society that has been deeply divided over the past years.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced at China’s annual two sessions this year the economic plan for the “Guangdong- Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area,” which will give Hong Kong and Macao a chance to participate in the country’s economic integration. Hong Kong needs an external stimulant to offset its economic limits in the manufacturing industry, job markets and so forth. Participating in the constructions of the Greater Bay Area can help the city get rid of restrictions over these issues.
However, Lam’s challenges, including the struggles of youth, the relationship between the administration and legislation, judicial localization, social movements and the lack of social identity, are structural. No doubt that Beijing needs to exert some efforts, but Hong Kong, under the principle of one country, two systems, exercises a high degree of autonomy. In this regard, Hong Kong’s elites and the public should be more proactive in adjusting their previous way to view their country and understand the close connection between China’s development and the city.