Hong Kong elections reform: debate emerges over number of directly elected lawmakers as senior Beijing official opens talks

Zhang Xiaoming says he is in Hong Kong to ‘hear views’ on the overhaul as consultation opens with key local figures

Several pro-establishment figures call for fewer seats for popularly elected lawmakers, but one executive councillor says a certain balance must be maintained in the legislature

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Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, opens central government discussions in the city on the electoral reforms. Photo: RTHK

Published: 11:40am, 15 Mar 2021Updated: 6:09pm, 30 Mar 2021

The imminent cutback on directly elected seats in Hong Kong’s legislature as part of Beijing’s overhaul of the system became a contentious point during a dialogue chaired by central government officials on Monday, as pro-establishment politicians said popularly elected lawmakers had contributed to the city’s chaos.

Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), said on Monday at the first of a three day session about the reforms with the Beijing-friendly elite he wanted meaningful dialogue about the revamp rather than simply laying out its terms. But he cautioned that the discussions about the reforms should not deviate from the framework decided by the national legislature last week.

Zhang described the proposed overhaul as an “important and symbolic” step for Hong Kong that was taken after consulting mainland Chinese experts in law and electoral affairs. Critics, overseas and at home have slammed the changes as a bid to decimate the opposition.

“Some local media suggested that I am here today to ‘explain’ the resolution,” he told attendees while flanked by fellow deputy directors of the cabinet-level office, Song Zhe and Huang Liuquan. “This is not the emphasis. I am here to hear your views with our ears. We can make some explanations if necessary.

“But all discussions should have a prerequisite and an important foundation – to be based on the resolution made by the National People’s Congress [NPC].”

At the core of the proposals endorsed by the NPC are plans to expand and give more power to the Election Committee, which selects the city’s leader and is already dominated by the pro-establishment camp.

Its membership will be increased to 1,500 by adding 300 Beijing loyalists. The committee will also have sweeping new powers to nominate lawmakers and send some of its own representatives to the Legislative Council, which will be expanded to 90 seats from the current 70.