Hong Kong NPC delegates face major challenges amid Beijing changes
Hong Kong candidates must speak up for the people as Beijing keeps closer tabs on the city
In 10 days time, Hong Kong will have a new batch of 36 delegates to China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC). But what role this elite group can play is open to discussion.
Delegates to the NPC, in theory, have two roles in addition to legislative duties: supervising the work of the central government and of local governments. But not for Hong Kong delegates, who have no role in local government.
Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has its own legal system, and laws passed by the NPC do not apply to this city. Hong Kong NPC delegates are, therefore, banned from commenting on local government affairs. It is seen as a logical consequence of Beijing's guarantee of "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong".
Thus, Hong Kong delegates can only be involved in state affairs. Despite frequent requests to institutionalise their work by setting up a permanent NPC delegate Hong Kong office, they have been turned down. Earlier, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, Hong Kong's only delegate to the powerful Standing Committee of the NPC, wanted to open a personal website in her official capacity to collect feedback from Hongkongers on various issues. The plan was aborted after she was "gently reminded" that it may not be appropriate.
Having said that, local delegates can act as a bridge between Hong Kong people and Beijing, which is important amid growing tensions.
But how can they do this? Candidates for NPC delegate election need to consider this question, because it is likely the future NPC chairman, Zhang Dejiang, will also be in charge of Hong Kong affairs. What does this mean for Hong Kong? In March, Zhang, ranked third in the new leadership line-up, will take up this task.