Hardline Beijing loyalist Arthur Li ‘honoured’ to be named to Hong Kong’s Basic Law Committee
- Li acknowledges ‘heavy responsibility’ that comes from being placed on body that advises on city’s mini-constitution
- Appointment comes two years after death of former member Lau Nai-keung
China’s top legislative body has appointed a hardline Beijing loyalist to the committee that advises on Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the first addition to the group in two years.
Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, chairman of the University of Hong Kong’s governing council and a member of the Executive Council, the city leader’s de facto cabinet, will join the Basic Law Committee, which operates under the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
A spokesman for Li’s office said the professor felt honoured to be appointed to the role.
“It carries a heavy responsibility and he looks forward to working with other committee members to ensure the Basic Law continues to safeguard ‘one country, two systems’ and promote the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong,” the spokesman added, referring to the framework under which the city is governed.
Li’s appointment comes almost three years after committee member and veteran pro-Beijing politician Lau Nai-keung died in November 2018 following a decades-long battle with prostate cancer.
A former dean of medicine and president of Chinese University, Li became the city’s education chief from 2002 to 2007. He is currently a local delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top advisory body.