Following the massive victory of the pro-government forces, led by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, in November's district council polls, their success in the elections for the 18 council chairmanships and vice-chairmanships comes as no surprise.
True, the pan-democratic camp may have been able to pull back a consolation goal or two if it had been better co-ordinated. Yet the predomination of the pro-Beijing, pro-government forces is now the shape of things to come in district politics. The DAB now has seven of the 18 chairmanships and five vice-chairmanships. The pan-democratic camp has only one vice-chairmanship. Of the 18 chairmen, eight are directly elected, seven are appointed members and three are ex officio members.
Admittedly, the drastic change in the configuration of power stems from changes at both the macro and micro level. With relations warming between the mainland and Hong Kong, any negative impact of the 'pro-Beijing' label has been all but neutralised in the elections. At the district level, the DAB and its allies are becoming increasingly visible and powerful. The DAB's efforts over the past decade to groom young leaders to run their district networks have borne fruit. A pro-establishment coalition - of the DAB, like-minded groups such as rural associations and government-friendly appointees - has taken shape, heralding profound changes in the political scene.
In fact, change has been in the air particularly after the elevation of Donald Tsang Yam-kuen to the post of chief executive. A competent and seasoned administrator, Mr Tsang has a good grasp of the strategic importance of district councils in the political game. A younger batch of career administrative officers has been installed as district officers, spearheading the government's work in the districts. Cabinet members, including Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen, as well as ministers and department heads, have attended council meetings to explain, and consult members about, major government policies.
Resolutions on issues including constitutional reform adopted by district councils have been cited by the government as significant bodies of public opinion; Mr Tsang has pledged to take these into account in the policy-making process.
With the pro-establishment voice dominating, the administration will be tempted to make full use of the councils' political role to secure support for its policies.
For example, it plans to launch a consultative drive among district councils over the fate of RTHK - a key issue in the ongoing review of public-service broadcasting.
