Voting system briefings conducted

April 7, 2021

Chief Executive Carrie Lam and principal government officials today met representatives from different sectors to explain the improvements to Hong Kong’s electoral system and render their support.

 

Mrs Lam attended the meetings with the engineering and the real estate sectors, during which she addressed the questions raised by the participants.

 

The meetings were part of the six briefing sessions hosted by Secretary for Development Michael Wong and Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan.

 

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung met some of the Legislative Council Members and Hong Kong members of national organisations at three briefing sessions.

 

Mr Cheung said the core of the current improvements to the electoral system is to enlarge the Election Committee (EC) membership to 1,500 and to adjust and improve the EC composition by empowering it with new functions.

 

The Chief Secretary encouraged participants to brief people in different sectors of the community on the improvements to deepen their understanding of the new electoral system as well as its necessity and urgency.

 

At the six briefings, Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan said by improving the electoral system and ensuring the comprehensive implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and the fundamental political ethics of “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” can be effectively safeguarded.

 

Mr Chan added that various deep-seated problems can also be effectively resolved, thereby ending political strife and social rifts. Hong Kong would then be able to focus on people’s livelihood, economy and development.

 

Secretary for Development Michael Wong reiterated the importance, necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system.

  

The Hong Kong SAR will be able to focus on enhancing economic development and improving people’s livelihood, including addressing the housing and land supply matters, and ensuring the city’s long-term prosperity and stability, Mr Wong added.

 

In his meetings with labour sector and employer representatives, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong elaborated on the importance of “patriots administering Hong Kong” to ensure the long-term and stable development of “one country, two systems” and the urgency of the related legislative amendments.

 

They also exchanged views on the EC’s formation and LegCo under the new legislative amendments.

 

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung hosted four briefing sessions with the University Grants Committee (UGC) chairman, UGC-funded university presidents as well as representatives from the education sector.  

 

Mr Yeung said amending the local electoral legislation could enhance the balanced and orderly political participation of the community. It would be conducive to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as the sustainable development of all sectors, including the education sector.

 

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau hosted three sessions with representatives of small and medium enterprises and the tourism and hotel sectors.

 

Mr Yau reiterated the necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, highlighting its importance to creating a stable business environment and ensuring Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. He called on them to fully support the relevant amendments.

 

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan hosted four briefing sessions with stakeholders of the catering, agriculture and fisheries, Chinese medicine and health services sectors.

 

She said social stability and good governance are essential to the Hong Kong SAR Government in focusing on economic and livelihood issues and its work for people’s betterment, thereby making Hong Kong a better place to live and work in.

 

Prof Chan appealed to the public for their unanimous support in taking forward and accomplishing the legislative work.

 

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip also gave briefings on the improvements to the electoral system to relevant sectors.

 

Secretary for the Environment KS Wong met representatives of community organisations from Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Kowloon City and Sai Kung districts at four briefing sessions.

 

Mr Wong noted that the amendments to the Basic Law annexes will bring Hong Kong back on the right track, adding that the Government will step up efforts to improve people’s livelihood and enhance environmental quality.

 

Secretary for Security John Lee held three briefing sessions with representatives of the Central & Western, Islands and Tuen Mun fight crime, fire safety and area committees.

 

Citing chaos and illegal acts in past LegCo meetings as examples, Mr Lee pointed out the importance and necessity of full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, as well as safeguarding the constitutional order as enshrined under the Constitution and the Basic Law.

 

The participants from the district organisations welcomed and supported improving Hong Kong’s electoral system. They expressed the hope that the Hong Kong SAR Government can focus on dealing with economic and livelihood matters in the future.

 

At the two briefing sessions for representatives of Kwun Tong and Sha Tin's fight crime, fire safety and area committees, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui called on the attendees' support for the amendments.

 

He reiterated that the Home Affairs Bureau will fully co-operate in the work of improving the electoral system and spare no effort in explaining the amendments.

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