The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (March 31) met with the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung, and other LegCo Members at three briefing sessions to explain the improvements to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) electoral system. He hoped that LegCo Members would support the work on local legislation.
Mr Cheung stressed that improving the electoral system, ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguarding the overall interests of society are conducive to the stable development of Hong Kong's democracy. Only through "patriots administering Hong Kong" can the Central Authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR be effectively implemented, the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law be effectively safeguarded, various deep-seated problems be effectively resolved, and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved.
He said that improving the electoral system would help the LegCo restore its function as a platform for rational interaction between the executive authorities and the legislature, which will enhance the efficacy of governance.
Mr Cheung pointed out that with an improved LegCo, the number of legislators will increase from 70 to 90. In terms of composition, legislators returned by Election Committee elections, functional constituencies elections and geographical constituencies elections will make the LegCo wider in coverage, more balanced, more diverse in views and more representative.
He said that the HKSAR Government would spare no efforts in taking forward the task in amending the relevant local electoral laws within a tight time frame, with a view to introducing a bill to the LegCo in mid-April and passing the bill by end-May. He thanked the LegCo for setting up a subcommittee under the House Committee which would immediately transform into a bills committee to scrutinise the bill upon introduction of the bill by the HKSAR Government.
Mr Cheung said that he wished LegCo members would support the work on local legislation and pass the bill as early as practicable.
He said he was pleased to learn that the LegCo President decided to continue to convene meetings during the summer break this year owing to the extension of the term of the current-term LegCo till the end of this year, with a view to completing the scrutiny of LegCo businesses closely related to people’s livelihoods. He thanked the LegCo President and Members for their support.
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