Hong Kong electoral reforms: set out expectations for pro-establishment lawmakers, loyalist tells Beijing
- Regina Ip puts her own bloc under spotlight at second debate of bill, suggesting future lawmakers should possess analytical skills and knowledge
- Her peers insist overhaul to political system reflects democratic progress and is aimed at weeding out radical elements
Beijing should set out expectations for Hong Kong’s pro-establishment lawmakers, a loyalist has suggested ahead of the imminent passage of new legislation to implement an electoral overhaul of the city’s political system.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairwoman of the New People’s Party, made the call on Wednesday as her peers argued the proposed changes reflected democratic progress with more unsung groups represented on key election bodies.
Casting her own bloc under the spotlight, Ip, chairwoman of the New People’s Party, argued that future lawmakers from the camp should possess analytical skills and knowledge, among other qualities.
“City authorities and the central government can come up with more objective criteria. First, you need them to dedicate time to fulfil their duties. Second, you need to have the energy and sufficient knowledge,” Lau said at the second debate of the bill in the legislature.
“We need more lawmakers with the ability to analyse [policies] rationally, not just those who bank only on good quotes or attacks on the government.”
