CE’s statement on remarks by Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, made the following statement today (December 6) in response to the remarks by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Xia Baolong, today at the launching ceremony of the Hong Kong Chronicles – "Hong Kong's participation in the country's reform and opening up" and signing ceremony of the memorandum of co-operation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chronicles:

     I sincerely thank the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Xia Baolong, for expounding on the four characteristics of the Legislative Council elections following the improvement of the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), namely broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition, today in view of the upcoming 2021 Legislative Council General Election of the HKSAR, following his remarks on the important principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at the symposium on July 16 this year marking the first anniversary of enacting the National Security Law. 

     Over the past few years, the chaos in the HKSAR legislature brought about by the inability to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong" was clearly seen in Hong Kong society. The legislature was paralysed, the governance of the HKSAR Government was disrupted, economic developments were affected and even national security was endangered, posing risks to social stability. People who love Hong Kong and call the city their home do not want to see the recurrence of the situation. 

     The improvement to the electoral system aims to implement the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", ensuring that members of the Legislative Council are patriotic and act in the interests of the country's development and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. On the basis of patriotism, candidates of the seventh-term Legislative Council come from across the political spectrum and are diverse and broadly representative. The HKSAR Government hopes to work together and co-operate sincerely with members of the new term of the Legislative Council to promote various policies and initiatives to develop the economy and improve livelihoods, ushering in a new era of good governance in Hong Kong.

     I appeal again to the registered voters to cast their votes on December 19 for Hong Kong's future.