Hong Kong’s pro-establishment heavyweights push elections overhaul on eve of endorsement, call it key to rebuilding Beijing’s trust
- ‘Atmosphere will be more conducive for political reform discussions’ once government confident ‘loopholes’ closed, Executive Councillor Ronny Tong says
- Standing Committee delegate Tam Yiu-chung says Occupy Central began process of damaging trust, but majority of residents now ready for change
Pro-establishment heavyweights have stepped up efforts to promote a planned shake-up of Hong Kong’s electoral system on the eve of its endorsement by China’s top legislature, acknowledging public disappointment and anxiety over an essentially done deal but holding out hope for democratic reform further down the line.
Tam Yiu-chung, the city’s lone delegate to the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, and Executive Councillor Ronny Tong Ka-wah on Wednesday told the Post the looming overhaul was key to rebuilding Beijing’s trust in the city.
“We have the responsibility to promote it and tell people about the advantages of these reforms so they won’t be disappointed by the changes,” Tam said.
I hope that after the central government amends Hong Kong’s electoral system … the atmosphere will be more conducive for political reform discussions
Those changes will take another step towards reality on Thursday afternoon, when the NPC is expected to sign off on a resolution authorising its standing committee to iron out the details of the looming overhaul.
Under Beijing’s plan, the number of seats on the Election Committee, which chooses the city’s leader, will be increased from 1,200 to 1,500, further expanding the pro-establishment camp’s dominance of the process.
The number of seats in the Legislative Council, meanwhile, will be increased from 70 to 90, with would-be candidates required to obtain nominations from Election Committee members, effectively leaving the fate of opposition candidacies to their discretion.
Pro-establishment leaders, including lawmakers Starry Lee Wai-king, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Alice Mak Mei-kuen and Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, will hold a press conference at 4pm on Thursday to announce the launch of an alliance to collect residents’ signatures in support of Beijing’s decision.