Pan-democrats team up at district level to push for Hong Kong reform as consensus agreed on talking to Beijing

Hong Kong’s pan-democrats today said they would enhance their cooperation by setting up new groups at district level to press for reform of the roles of district councils in the city’s political system.

The idea was agreed on at a meeting today, where consensus was also reached on the importance of having direct and regular communication with Beijing.

Former Civic Party lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-wah attended to brief his pan-democratic colleagues on his meetings with Beijing officials recently during his visit to the capital.

Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit said: “The pan-democrats’ position has always been that it is important to maintain direct and regular communication with the central government.”

On the district groups of pan-democrats, Leong said: “We hope to be able to step up cooperation and unity at the district council level.

“District councils play an important role in Hong Kong’s political system. Six lawmakers are from the district councils. And district councillors are also given seats on the committee that selects the chief executive.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Party chairman Emily Lau Wai-hing said she respected founding member Tik Chi-yuen’s decision to quit the party.