Hong Kong deputies to be elected to China’s legislature to play bigger role in country’s governance, senior mainland official says
- December 15 poll to determine 36 deputies who will represent city in National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee next term
- Yang Zhenwu, NPC secretary general, warns against attempts to sabotage upcoming election
More than 30 Hong Kong deputies who will be elected to China’s legislature next month will play a bigger role in the governance of the country, a senior mainland official has said, as he convened the first briefing about the local poll.
Yang Zhenwu, the secretary general of top legislative body National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Monday also warned against any attempts to infiltrate or sabotage mainland Chinese authorities through the December 15 poll. The election will determine the 36 deputies who will represent the city in the legislature’s next term.
Pro-establishment heavyweight Tam Yiu-chung, currently the city’s sole delegate to the standing committee, has announced his decision to step down, confirming an earlier Post report.
The standing committee in recent years has made several important decisions concerning Hong Kong, including the imposition of the national security law in 2020 and a series of electoral overhauls following anti-government protests in 2019.
Citing these two decisions, Yang said the city’s current delegates deserved praise for their “outstanding contributions” in major political affairs and struggles relating to Hong Kong, adding they had actively participated in meetings and “took the lead” in explaining the 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,” he said.
“The Hong Kong representatives to be elected will definitely play a bigger role in the affairs and governance of the country.”
Veteran Hong Kong politician to ‘step down from NPC Standing Committee’
Less than a month before the poll, which is held every five years, Yang also warned against attempts to exploit the election by carrying out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland.
The secretary general was speaking to 1,107 eligible voters who attended Monday’s briefing at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. They are part of the city’s 1,421-member electoral college, mainly comprising representatives from the Election Committee, which is also responsible for electing lawmakers and the city leader under a Beijing-led electoral overhaul.
Spelling out his preferred criteria for the delegates, Yang said: “[The poll] should ensure that … talented, virtuous representatives who are capable in governance, and satisfied by the people, are chosen.”
The meeting also involved approving a list of 19 presidium members, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, former city leader Leung Chun-ying and Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. But Lee’s predecessor, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who was earlier tipped to succeed Tam in the standing committee by some reports, was not on the list.
The presidium holds meetings to ensure the election of the 36 deputies runs smoothly.
When asked if Lam’s absence in the list would reinforce such suggestions, Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said there was no black-and-white rule stipulating that all former city leaders would be appointed. He cited the absence of former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who was eventually cleared of criminal misconduct by the city’s top court in 2019.
But Lau also explained that presidium members would not be allowed to run in the standing committee election.
Tam refused to comment on the suggestion that Lam might run for his post.
In the previous election for Hong Kong deputies in 2017, then-chief executive Lam, as well as two former leaders, Tung Chee-hwa and Leung, were chosen as presidium members.
Tam, who also sits in the presidium, confirmed to the press after the meeting that he would not seek another five-year term on the grounds of age.
“I’m not young. I think other more suitable deputies could take up the role,” the 72-year-old said.
He added that the United States’ sanctions imposed on him over his position were “meaningless”, saying they only proved he was doing the right thing in defending national security.
Tam is among at least 10 Hong Kong deputies out of 36 city NPC members who are expected to stand down as they are aged 70 or over. His successor will be selected next March from the 36 elected deputies.
City leader Lee, elected as the executive chairman of the presidium, attended Monday’s in-person session virtually, because he tested positive for Covid-19 following his return from a four-day trip in Bangkok. Lee pledged to implement the spirit of the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress in the upcoming election.
The nomination for deputies to the 14th NPC Standing Committee will start from November 23 to 30. Hopefuls need to get at least 15 nominations, up from the 10 required five years ago, from the electoral college.
All Hong Kong residents with Chinese citizenship aged 18 or above, including holders of foreign passports and British National (Overseas) visas, are eligible to contest for the candidacy, as long as they do not accept subsidies from foreign bodies relating to the poll, according to Maria Tam Wai-chu, elected as the spokeswoman of the presidium.
Those eyeing a seat at the national legislature include lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king, Rock Chen Chung-nin and Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
