CMAB and HYAB brief Hong Kong deputies to NPC and Hong Kong members of CPPCC on proposals to improve governance at district level
3.5.2023

The Government announced the proposals on improving governance at the district level on May 2, with a view to reforming and depoliticising District Councils (DCs), reverting the DCs to their original positioning, fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and ensuring governance at the district level is firmly placed in the hands of patriots. According to the proposals, there will be multiple methods for the selection of DC members, so that persons from different sectors who are patriotic and have an affection for Hong Kong can participate in the work of DCs, thus enhancing the efficacy of district governance. Starting today (May 3), the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, will provide briefing sessions to various sectors of the community so as to deepen public understanding of the benefits brought by the proposals. At a briefing session with Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this afternoon, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak highlighted five benefits of the proposals on improving governance at the district level: (1) enhance the functions of DCs to allow the Government to have more effective planning and implementation of district services, manifest executive-led governance and better serve the public; (2) optimise the composition of DCs and the methods of selection of DC members to allow persons with professional knowledge and experience, who are patriotic and have an affection for Hong Kong, to enter the DCs through multiple channels and serve the public; (3) introduce an eligibility review mechanism to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguard national security, and return the DCs to the livelihood-oriented positioning; (4) introduce a monitoring mechanism of DC members' performance to ensure that every DC member delivers due diligence and meets the public expectation; (5) strengthen the district governance structure to formulate and command appropriate measures in response to the demand of the public in an effective and timely manner. The two Directors of Bureaux also introduced the proposal on reforming the composition of DCs and various methods of filling the seats, i.e. the composition of appointed, District Committees Constituency, District Council Geographical Constituency and ex-officio members. The briefing session was conducted in an interactive manner, and the attendees actively took part in the discussions during the briefing, expressing their staunch affirmation and support to the proposals on improving governance at the district level. Concluding the briefing session, the two Directors of Bureaux emphasised that the proposals are formulated on the basis of the actual circumstances of Hong Kong, and are conductive to maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and promoting a better living and working environment for all. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will continue to brief different groups and organisations on the contents and advantages of the proposals in coming weeks.