Zhang Yong (center), deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, speaks at a forum to solicit public opinion on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In Hong Kong on March 15, 2021. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – The central authorities on Monday started a three-day symposium in Hong Kong to solicit opinions on electoral system amendments after the National People’s Congress adopted a decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system.
Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, stressed that the discussions should not deviate from the framework of the NPC decision, otherwise the outcome will lose focus
The symposium is jointly being held by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Monday featured three seminars with cross-sector representatives of Hong Kong society. Besides seminars, opinions will also be collected during separate talks with key figures. The central authorities expect to consult more than 1,000 people in Hong Kong via the activities.
Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said the central leaders’ statements about the improvements offered key guidelines for the upcoming discussions. He stressed that the discussions should not deviate from the framework of the NPC decision, otherwise the outcome will lose focus.
Also attending the symposium, Luo Huining, director of the liaison office, said the central authorities attach great importance to the consultations with Hong Kong society about election system improvements. Before the NPC made the decision, a high-level task force was set up to research the experience of other jurisdictions and gauge opinions from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong legal experts.
Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said that she suggested offering more training to future administrators to improve their ability in coping with complex social problems.
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Luo Huining (center), director of the Liaison Office, speaks at a forum to solicit public opinion on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In Hong Kong on March 15, 2021. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Stanley Ng Chau-pei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, advised an increase in labor sector representatives in the Election Committee, a key election body to be overhauled during the improvements.