Hong Kong's main pro-Beijing party meets Zhang Dejiang and is given mission - win two-thirds of Legco seats
Zhang Dejiang praises party's efforts over the years, but priority now is to control legislature
After giving them a pat on the back, Beijing handed a tough mission to leaders of Hong Kong's biggest pro-establishment party yesterday - gain wider recognition in the city and work with your allies to win two-thirds of Legco seats in next year's election.
"I hope the DAB find out what is good and hold fast to it and make a difference," said National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang , the state leader in charge of the city's affairs, in opening remarks before his meeting with the 34-member delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"It should have a clear-cut stand on loving the country and Hong Kong … and be willing to take on heavy responsibilities."
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It is understood Zhang also urged the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong to back Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. While acknowledging its achievements and praising it as one of the "most important groups" in the city, he called on the party to gain more recognition in society to unite pro-establishment forces ahead of the elections.
Party veteran Ip Kwok-him said: "Zhang hopes the Beijing-friendly camp can win no less than two-thirds of seats in the Legco election next year as only under such circumstances could the political reform package be passed [in future]."
The Beijing-decreed reform package for the 2017 chief executive election was blocked last month after it failed to secure support from the required two-thirds of lawmakers, mostly pan-democrats. The pro-establishment camp has 43 seats in the Legislative Council and must win four more in September next year to secure a two-thirds majority.