1. What is the significance of today's elections?
They are most significant, and are the first to be held since the NPC's decision in March to reform the electoral process. Today's elections set the scene for the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections on December 19, and the CE election on March 27. Those who take up positions on the EC will be patriotic individuals who can be relied upon to promote the best interests of Hong Kong, as well as the wider national interest. Their focus will be on the common good, not crude politicking. This will help to ensure good governance in future, which is very good news for Hong Kong.
2. What expectations do you have for the Election Committee?
The EC has very important responsibilities to discharge. It has to elect 40 of the 90 members of the LegCo in December, nominate the other 50 members, and then select the Chief Executive in March. In discharging its responsibilities, it must identify people of real ability, and not simply people who say they are patriotic. It will have to promote orderly development, set high standards for prospective office-holders, and set the right tone. The whole emphasis of those who wish to enter public life must be on serving the people and improving their welfare, and promoting the city's traditional strengths (law, finance, trade, tourism, etc.,). The opportunities that are now opening up in southern China must also be seized by the city's elected representatives, and national policies should also be supported.
3. Will the Election Committee's broader representation benefit Hong Kong?
Most certainly. It has increased from 1,200 to 1,500 members, which allows more voices to be heard. The creation of a fifth sub-sector comprising 300 members has made it more representative, and there are now places for people with national perspectives and cross-border experience, including NPC deputies, CPPCC members, and the representatives of associations of Hong Kong residents in the Chinese mainland. Also included are people from other walks of life, including fight crime committees and fire safety committees. All these new people, with their fresh ideas, will increase the stature of the EC, and assist it in its tasks. By any yardstick, the broadening exercise is a very positive development.
4. Will the new candidate vetting procedures undertaken by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee be beneficial for Hong Kong?
Yes, absolutely. In the past, the body politic was infiltrated by people who wanted to sabotage it from the inside, and create political chaos. They were hostile towards China, supported violent protests, were anti-police, created paralysis in the LegCo, and even urged foreign powers to enact measures that would harm Hong Kong and its officials. Indeed, many of them wanted to destroy the one country, two system governing policy, because they knew that this would harm China and benefit its geopolitical rivals. They brought much of the government's legislative programme to a halt, and had no interest in good governance or people's livelihoods. Thus, when they paralyzed the LegCo from November 2019 to May 2020, they blocked the passage of 14 bills and 89 items of subsidiary legislation, many of them involving livelihood issues. Quite clearly, this situation was bringing disaster to Hong Kong, but, with the double whammy of the electoral reforms and the National Security Law, those anti-China elements are now a spent force, and Hong Kong is back on track.
Moreover, the people who tried to wreck Hong Kong will not be able to stage a comeback, which is a great relief for everybody who cares for the city. The new new vetting procedures exclude would-be candidates who are unpatriotic or otherwise of poor character. As Deng Xioaping made clear in 1984, Hong Kong has to be managed by Hong Kong people, with patriots forming the mainstay. The insistence on patriots administering Hong Kong will undoubtedly ensure the successful implementation of the one country, two systems principle. Once, therefore, the three sets of elections are complete, the one country, two systems principle can be fully realized, and this will provide the hope, prosperity and stability that everybody in Hong Kong desires.
The author is a Senior Counsel and Professor of Law, and was previously the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of Orange News.
Source：Orange News ［2021-09-19］
