Election paves way to HK-style democracy
Central govt liaison office lauds HKSAR chief executive contest for further implementing the ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’ principle
The central government’s liaison office on Sunday hailed Hong Kong’s 2022 chief executive election as a demonstration of the advancement and advantages of the city’s improved electoral system and another successful example of exploring a democracy path with Hong Kong characteristics.
In a statement, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region congratulated John Lee Ka-chiu after he scored a resounding victory in the election, securing 1,416 votes in favor, or 99.16 percent of the ballots cast by members of the Election Committee tasked with nominating and electing the SAR’s chief executive.
Lee’s victory also shows that he’s widely recognized and accepted by the people of Hong Kong, the liaison office said.
The statement said Sunday’s chief executive election — the third of three major polls held following the introduction of the new electoral system — was fair and orderly, and in accordance with the law.
The election, which is also in line with further implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, was organized in a rational, united and enterprising manner, fully showcasing the improved electoral system’s advantages in choosing leaders who are capable of uniting patriots, the office said.
It has again proved that the new electoral system is good — a system that works for Hong Kong and is in line with “one country, two systems”, the statement said, adding that the office has full confidence in the path to democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.
During Lee’s election campaign, more than 47,000 views and suggestions were collected from about 13,000 Hong Kong residents through an online platform. This is a living embodiment of the residents’ keen hopes for a bright future, the office noted.
Lee’s election manifesto has also taken the opinions of various sectors into consideration, and highlighted reforms and a results-oriented approach to address the concerns of the community, the liaison office said.
The past five years have marked an extraordinary period in implementing “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, the office noted. The SAR government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, has laid a good foundation for the next administration and the city’s future by rising up to the daunting challenges brought by the social unrest, the pandemic and the worsening external situation.
The office also took note of the achievements made by the current HKSAR government, saying it has firmly upheld the bottom line of “one country, two systems”, resolutely enforced the National Security Law for Hong Kong to end chaos and violence, actively improved the city’s electoral system in accordance with the decision by the nation’s top legislature and conducted three elections under the new system in an orderly manner. The SAR government also made proactive efforts to boost the economy, improve people’s livelihoods and promote the city’s integration into the nation’s development.
Looking ahead, the office hopes that Lee will live up to the people’s expectations and unite the city in fully and accurately implementing “one country, two systems” to usher in a new chapter of prosperity for Hong Kong, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and a new phase of the “one country, two systems” principle.
It also envisioned that Lee can lead Hong Kong in playing a bigger role in national rejuvenation amid the once-in-acentury changes around the world.