CMAB and HYAB brief district representatives on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
15.5.2023

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (May 15) explained the proposals on improving governance at the district level to representatives of 18 District Councils (DCs), the three district committees, namely Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees and District Fire Safety Committees, also known as "the three committees", and District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) and listened to their views. At the two briefing sessions today, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak spelled out the objectives and benefits of the proposals. They stressed that the proposals can enhance the functions of DCs and reform their composition so that the DCs can revert to their positioning as district advisory and service organisations in accordance with Article 97 of the Basic Law. The new DCs will comprise members returned by four selection methods, namely appointed, District Committees Constituency, District Council Geographical Constituency and ex-officio members. They will be broadly representative and able to recruit members with different expertise and district experiences who can reflect the overall interest of different districts. They pointed out that the District Officers assuming DC chairmanships can manifest executive-led governance and ensure that DCs' work can complement the Government's administration. They hoped with the concerted efforts of different parties, the DCs will open a new page after assuming office on January 1 next year. With the DCs, "the three committees", Care Teams and District Management Committees being led by the Government, they expected that it will enable the Government to effectively co-ordinate various district affairs and enhance the standard of district governance. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak said that aside from reforming the DCs, it is stated in the proposals that the district governance structure should be fundamentally improved, with co-ordination strengthened at the central level, so that the Government's district services will be more effective and targeted. In this connection, the Government will establish the Steering Committee on District Governance, which will be chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to take a leading role on the overall strategy, specific policies and measures, work priorities and resources allocation of district governance; and the Task Force on District Governance to be chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration will be repositioned to steer and co-ordinate the relevant policy bureaux and departments to implement corresponding policies, and if necessary, co-ordinate inter-departmental and/or cross-district issues. The two Directors of Bureaux conducted in-depth exchanges with attending representatives who enthusiastically shared their opinions on the proposals. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak also appealed to the district representatives to make good use of their local networks to proactively explain the proposals to the residents. After the Government's announcement of the proposals on improving governance at the district level on May 2, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak immediately commenced explanatory and publicity work for various sectors. They will continue to introduce and promote the proposals in multi-pronged manner in order to enhance public understanding on the proposals.