The Government has commenced explanatory and publicity work for various sectors after the announcement of the proposals on improving governance at the district level on May 2. 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 25) continued to explain the proposals to Hong Kong members of provincial committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Mr Tsang and Miss Mak said at the briefing session that the majority of the public support the proposals on improving governance at the district level and endorse the three guiding principles of the proposals: national security must be put as the topmost priority and the "one country, two systems" principle must be fully and faithfully implemented to ensure the effective and sustained implementation of the systems prescribed by the Constitution and the Basic Law, including the district advisory bodies which are not organs of political power formed in accordance with Article 97 of the Basic Law; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must be fully implemented; and executive-led governance must be manifested. The Government is confident of having firm control of governance at the district level and grooming strong and abled service teams, so as to increase its capability to mobilise the community.
The two Directors of Bureaux thanked members for attending the briefing session and for speaking overwhelmingly in support of the proposals and providing valuable advice. The two Directors of Bureaux also encouraged them to proactively brief various sectors of the community to continue garner understanding and support from different sectors of the community.
The Government will introduce a Bill into the Legislative Council (LegCo) as soon as possible to implement the proposed reformation of the District Councils (DCs) in the proposals on improving governance at the district level. The Government targets to secure the LegCo's passage of the Bill before the summer recess of the LegCo so that the District Council Ordinary Election can be held at the end of this year and the seventh-term DCs can take office on January 1 next year.
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