China Daily Global Edition (USA)
HK to fully cooperate on electoral reform
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor pledged on Monday to fully cooperate with the central government on improving the city’s electoral system.
Speaking to media after returning to Hong Kong from Beijing, Lam expressed gratitude to the central government for taking care of the defects and loopholes in Hong Kong’s electoral system, a problem the city had found difficulty to handle on its own.
By keeping the power to administer the HKSAR in the hands of patriots, Lam said “one country, two systems” can be fully and accurately implemented in the city.
The Constitution and Law Committee of the National People’s Congress deliberated on a draft decision on Monday to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR before it was handed to all NPC delegations for deliberation.
Details of the draft were not disclosed. It is understood that it will be put to a vote at the NPC on Thursday.
According to a China Central Television report, members of the committee unanimously agreed to adopt a two-step approach of “decision plus amendment”.
This means the NPC will make a decision in accordance with relevant laws. The NPC Standing Committee will then amend Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law in accordance with relevant laws and the NPC’s decision.
Members considered that such procedures complied with the provisions and principles of the Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR and have a solid political and legal foundation.
Lam said the HKSAR government will support and cooperate with the central government to reform the electoral system in several phases.
The HKSAR government will roll out a comprehensive program to explain the necessity and importance of the law amendment and the process of the amendment to the public. It will then introduce local legislation and arrange a series of local elections in accordance with the newly amended laws.
There is a pressing need to complete local legislation on improving the city’s electoral system as soon as possible.
Lam said that though there is no time to launch a thorough public consultation to collect views, the government had listened and collected the opinions of residents on the matter.
She stressed that the improvements are not directed at benefiting any individuals, but to ensure the power to administer the region is in the hands of patriots in order to safeguard the city’s constitutional order under the Basic Law as well as its long-term prosperity and stability.
By keeping the power to administer the HKSAR in the hands of patriots, Lam said “one country, two systems” can be fully and accurately implemented in the city.