Editorial | Hong Kong’s district councils must still reflect views of public after shake-up

Hong Kong’s new constitutional order has made the need for an overhaul of the two-tier political structure a foregone conclusion. More than a year has passed since the Legislative Council was revamped to ensure seats are only filled by patriots.

A shake-up of district councils is also due later this year, and it is important that the functions of the advisory bodies are restored and carried out in accordance with the Basic Law.

Confirming for the first time that municipal councils were worth keeping, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, however, they must be completely “de-politicised”. He criticised the opposition for its “outrageous behaviour” after clinching most seats on the local bodies in 2019.

Such acts included opposing the national security law, obstructing government policies and creating confrontation.

“I will not allow district councils to be the platform to promote Hong Kong independence or anything which is against the Basic Law,” Lee said.

The guiding principles for the review, such as upholding national security, adhering to functions under the Basic Law, patriots administering Hong Kong and fulfilling the administrative-led system, are to be expected. Under no circumstances will Beijing allow a repeat of what it saw as the dark times in recent years.