Hong Kong lawmakers seek ‘super patriot’ status as interest in election of NPC deputies grows

Legislative Council by-elections used to be a big deal, but now the election of deputies to the National People’s Congress garners much more interest
The political credentials of being trusted by Beijing to take part in national policy and affairs make it attractive to local political and business elite

Alice Wu

Published: 6:45am, 12 Dec 2022

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There are two elections taking place in Hong Kong this week. One has received much more media coverage than the other, and that in itself is noteworthy.

Legislative Council by-elections used to be a big deal. But while campaigning is certainly under way for the scheduled polls on December 18 – we can tell by the banners hung on street railings – it does not seem to be arousing public interest.

On the other hand, what used to occur under the radar has attracted much more attention. The election of 36 deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s lawmaking body, is happening on Thursday, and it has piqued people’s interest.

It was not always like this, as the way business is conducted in Beijing, especially of the political kind, was unfamiliar and out of reach for most. It was one of the most intriguing features of “one country, two systems”. The NPC operated separately and differently from the city’s legislature.

It meets once a year in Beijing in the spring at the annual lianghui, or “two sessions”, opening soon after the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) meeting has convened. These meetings feature many work reports, rounds of applause, breakout group discussions, and very few surprises.

As the late president Jiang Zemin made clear, the well water and river water worked quite well separately from one another. It’s a completely different system, alien to many in Hong Kong.

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But the NPC and CPPCC, although still somewhat remote, have gained prestige over the years. I remember spending a few springs in Beijing during the two sessions. It’s the assemblage of power – the Hong Kong delegation would mingle, chat and have friendly political banter at night at the Beijing Hotel and the Grand Hotel, where they stayed for the duration of the meetings.

Delegates do not receive a salary, but it’s the political credentials of being trusted by Beijing to take part in national policy and affairs that make it attractive to political and business elites.

The competition for Hong Kong’s 36 seats in the NPC election is fierce even though there are fewer candidates than five years ago. There is more competition because several political veterans and heavyweights are not seeking re-election even though they have only served one term.

Bernard Chan speaks at a conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in Admiralty on August 28, 2019. Chan is not running for re-election to the National People’s Congress after receiving the most votes in the 2017 poll. Photo: May Tse

Tam Yiu-chung, who switched tracks from the CPPCC to the NPC in 2017, and succeeded Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai in being the sole Hong Kong member in the NPC Standing Committee, is retiring. Former Executive Council convenor Bernard Chan, who received the most votes in the last election, and former secretary for mainland and constitutional affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen have both stepped aside. Not many of the current deputies are running again.

This leaves room for more new faces, and perhaps that is why we are seeing several Legco members who are also CPPCC deputies following Tam’s lead and switching tracks. It’s not exactly a revolving door. There is far more political clout to be elected as one of 36 deputies than to be appointed to be one of hundreds of CPPCC members.

There are a dozen current Legco members seeking dual lawmaker status with seats at both the local and national level. In today’s new and improved electoral system that ensures patriots administer Hong Kong, the dual status reinforces and elevates one’s patriotism. In this sense, the well and river waters are converging, running in the veins of super patriots.

Beijing has expectations for these super patriots. Yang Zhenwu, secretary general of NPC Standing Committee, told the Election Committee the poll should ensure that “talented, virtuous representatives who are capable in governance, and satisfied by the people, are chosen”. They are also expected to take the initiative in explaining Beijing-imposed legislation to the public.

“As the socialist system with Chinese characteristics steps into a new era, the NPC system is getting more mature and vibrant, while the role of deputies has been strengthened,” Yang said.

To be a political elite in today’s Hong Kong, one must operate in both systems under one country. This is why the Legco by-elections pale by comparison in terms of significance.

Alice Wu is a political consultant and a former associate director of the Asia Pacific Media Network at UCLA