Subsequent to the passage of the Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the National People’s Congress (NPC) on 11 March, the NPC Standing Committee unanimously approved the newly amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and its Voting Procedures yesterday. This is a critical step for the future development of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will make amendments to local legislations to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong, in concrete terms, with a view to fully implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, safeguarding national security and ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.
According to the Constitution and the Basic Law, improving the electoral system of the HKSAR falls within the prerogative of the Central Government.
If we regard the promulgation of the National Security Law last year as the Central Government’s action on the constitutional level to ensure that Hong Kong could safeguard national security and to restore order from chaos, the current improvements to the electoral system of the HKSAR can be seen as the Central Government’s move on the constitutional level again to ensure that Hong Kong can implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” under “One Country, Two Systems”.
“Patriots administering Hong Kong” is the core concept of “One Country, Two Systems”. During the drafting stage of the Basic Law in as early as the 1980s, Mr DENG Xiaoping clearly stated that the idea of “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” has its scope and criteria, that is to say Hong Kong should be administered by Hong Kong people, with patriots forming the mainstay. The criteria for a patriot are to respect one’s own nation, sincerely support the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the Motherland, and not to impair Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. Loving one’s country is a matter of course. Anywhere around the world, it is simply basic political ethics that the administration of the place should be in the hands of patriots. Being patriotic is nothing abstract. It means loving the People’s Republic of China, and patriots should respect and uphold the fundamental system of the country and the constitutional order of the HKSAR.
In taking action on the national level to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong, the Central Government has fully considered the circumstances confronting Hong Kong since its reunification with the Motherland. In view of the social unrest in 2019, which has further brought into light the loopholes and risks in our existing electoral system, the NPC adopts a “decision plus amendment” approach to plug such loopholes. This protects the national sovereignty and security and the interests of development, providing a solid foundation for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Indeed, only by fully implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” can HKSAR’s constitutional order built on the basis of the Constitution and the Basic Law be complied with, and only by so doing can the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” be fully and faithfully applied in the HKSAR.
Within the political structure of Hong Kong, people occupying important posts, wielding important authority and shouldering important governing responsibilities, be they members of the executive or legislative authorities, should all the more be staunch patriots. As an integral part of the HKSAR’s political regime, civil servants bear the responsibility and mission of implementing the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and supporting the governance of the Chief Executive and the HKSAR Government. Therefore, we must have an accurate understanding of “One Country, Two Systems” and know that “One Country” is the precondition and foundation of “Two Systems”. We must also be capable of handling the relations between “One Country” and “Two Systems” as well as that between the Central Government and the HKSAR, and be adamant in safeguarding the fundamental system and interests of our country as well as the overall interests of the HKSAR.
Our arrangement since the end of last year of requiring civil servants to take an oath or make a declaration that they will uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the HKSAR of the People’s Republic of China is also a measure embodying the obligations and conditions of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.
In tandem with the broad changes in the international arena and in response to the developmental needs of Hong Kong, our society has a higher expectation of the civil service, which is fully understandable. Civil servants should be innovative and possess an attitude and mindset of “getting new initiatives done” in serving the community. It is the mission of the civil service to serve the public in a way that members of the public can benefit from government policies. Therefore, our policies must be practical and realistic, capable of meeting the needs of the people and can be put into implementation. In this light, I encourage all senior civil servants, especially permanent secretaries and heads of departments, to engage more with stakeholders and be more proactive in explaining their work to the media. By so doing, they can set a good example and demonstrate our commitments to the public.
There will be three major elections in Hong Kong in the coming twelve months and the amendments to the relevant local laws have to be completed without any delay. The first Election Committee Subsector Elections will be conducted in September, followed by the Legislative Council General Election in December and then the Chief Executive Election in March next year. Apart from the colleagues who will definitely waste no time in making the relevant legislative and electoral arrangements, the entire civil service of the HKSAR Government will also give full support and work vigourously under the leadership of the Chief Executive to ensure the smooth implementation of the elections.
In the coming two weeks, I will make the best use of time to explain to civil service unions and colleagues at various ranks the importance and necessity of improving the HKSAR’s electoral system, so that each of us will understand thoroughly the decision of the Central Government with a view to building a social consensus for moving forward and starting a new chapter.
Improving the HKSAR’s electoral system will not only plug the loopholes and eradicate the risks, but also turn a new page for society in attracting more loyal and capable persons to join the HKSAR’s political system and work towards the goals of good administration and governance. Together, let us move towards the same direction and work for the same mission of fully implementing “One Country, Two Systems”, serving the community, contributing to the development of the nation, and promoting the long term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong!