Election hailed as ‘democracy with Hong Kong characteristics’

Beijing’s praise reflects its high expectations for John Lee’s administration

Beijing has hailed the chief executive election, which returned John Lee Ka-chiu yesterday without a contest, as a new step in Hong Kong’s democratic development and expressed confidence the city would reach new heights in the next five years.

Analysts said the statements by the central government, breaking its silence after outgoing leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor announced more than a month ago she would not seek re-election, were aimed at setting the tone for the city’s near future, as well as listing Beijing’s expectations for Lee’s administration.

In a 5,000-word article, the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office praised the election for its orderliness and commended Lee as a good leader for the city.

“The chief executive election was held smoothly today, and Lee was elected with a high number of votes. We congratulate him,” it said.

The poll was the third held since Beijing overhauled Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure the city’s political power is firmly held by “patriots”.

The first one last September chose members of the Election Committee, which is tasked with picking the city’s leader, and the second was for the legislature in December.

The office said yesterday’s election was successful, showing the merits of the overhauled system, as well as the new atmosphere created by it.

“The election campaign focused on development and people’s livelihood, and a strong positive force has been converged by it … The formulation of Lee’s manifesto was also a process of democratic consultation,” it said.

“Lee was eventually elected with 99 per cent of the votes. This shows completely that Hong Kong highly recognises him.”

Even though Lee was widely regarded as the only candidate to have received Beijing’s blessing, the central government had refrained from commenting on the election, waiting until after he had won to praise him.

The office said it was widely recognised Lee, a police inspector who rose through the ranks before switching to a ministerial role, had rich experience and strong executive capabilities.

“The vast majority of Hong Kong residents are full of trust and expectations for Lee, and believe that he can recruit talented politicians to form an administration to govern decisively and achieve goals,” it added.

The article also said with a new leader elected, Hong Kong had the qualities, strengths and opportunities, as well as Beijing’s support,

for it to “achieve new glory”.

“In the latest five-year plan, we have clearly supported Hong Kong in boosting its role as an international financial centre … and in becoming a hub of arts and cultural exchange between China and the West.”

In a statement, Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong also heaped praise on Lee.

“Since he announced his bid, he has held frequent meetings with Election Committee members, various sectors and groups, as well as residents’ representatives,” it said.

“Lee had invited views with a sincere and open attitude, and his manifesto had fully taken in the views of different sectors … and was described by the media as a governance blueprint which would set Hong Kong residents and international investors’ hearts at ease and give them confidence,” it said.

The liaison office also hailed the election as “another successful step in developing democracy with Hong Kong characteristics”.

Apart from the two Beijing agencies, Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said the election had opened a new chapter in the implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

“The chief executive election fully showed that after being improved, Hong Kong’s electoral system … has safeguarded the overall interest of the city, and the interest of different sectors and classes.”

Xinhua also issued a commentary on Lee’s victory, titled “New scene established under new law, Hong Kong makes a new democratic step”.

“There was no democracy to talk about in Hong Kong under British colonial rule. The city kicked off its democratic development after its return to the motherland,” it said.

“Under the leadership of the sixth-term chief executive and his team, various sectors will be in harmony, and Hong Kong will be able to solve various difficulties.”

Political analyst Derek Yuen Mi-chang said Beijing’s praise and statements of confidence reflected its high hopes for Lee, as well as its concerns about Hong Kong amid global economic uncertainties.

“It’s helping to set the tone for Lee’s governance, and continuing with what it said before about democracy in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong and China’s economies are facing many challenges brought about by the pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian war, but it must express confidence so that foreign investors will stay in the city,” Yuen said.

The city kicked off its democratic development after its return to the motherland COMMENTARY BY XINHUA