SCMA briefs Hong Kong deputies to NPC and Hong Kong members of CPPCC on improving electoral system (with photos/video)
31.3.2021

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, this afternoon (March 31) chaired two briefing sessions to brief Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on the background, concepts and main contents of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the important roles of the Hong Kong deputies to the NPC and Hong Kong members of the CPPCC under the new electoral system. Mr Tsang began by elaborating on the background of the improvements to the electoral system. He said that one of the key principles of the new electoral system is to broaden the representation of the Election Committee (EC) and the Legislative Council (LegCo), and enhance the balanced and orderly political representation of the community as well as safeguarding the overall and fundamental interests of the society. Mr Tsang pointed out that the aim of the Central Authorities taking the initiative at the national level to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong is to ensure that Hong Kong can stay true to the original aspiration in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems" and putting Hong Kong back on the right track. Only through "patriots administering Hong Kong" can various deep-seated problems be effectively resolved and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved. The core of the current improvements to the electoral system is to enlarge the membership of the EC from 1 200 to 1 500, and to adjust and improve the composition of the EC by empowering it with new functions. Mr Tsang also highlighted that the improvements greatly enhanced the functions and roles of the Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations. The Hong Kong deputies to the NPC and Hong Kong members of the CPPCC will be the Ex-officio Members in the new "fifth sector" of the enlarged EC while some EC seats will be returned through election among Hong Kong members of the relevant national organisations. Apart from nominating LegCo Members, the Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, Hong Kong members of the CPPCC and that of the relevant national organisations will elect one LegCo Member in one of the new functional constituencies of the LegCo. The briefing sessions were conducted in an interactive manner, the attending Hong Kong deputies to the NPC and Hong Kong members of the CPPCC actively took part in the discussions during the briefings. Apart from expressing their staunch support in the work of improving the electoral system, they offered plenty of useful and constructive suggestions to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and had in-depth exchanges with the Bureau on details of the electoral system. Representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations, who have a more comprehensive understanding of the national affairs, have important roles to play in strengthening the elements of the country and integrating the national interests with Hong Kong's well-being, Mr Tsang said. He hoped that all attendees would fully support the work of improving electoral system and continued to play conducive roles in supporting the implementation of executive-led governance structure of the HKSAR and helping the government in implementing policies to enhance economic development and improve people's livelihood after the electoral system is improved.