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Delegates to the 2021 "two sessions", China's annual parliamentary meetings, voted on a resolution on Hong Kong electoral reform to overhaul the city's electoral system. The changes include slashing the number of directly elected seats and ensuring more pro-Beijing representation in the city’s legislature, creating a powerful new post to head a more influential Election Committee, and setting up a vetting body comprising principal officials to screen out candidates deemed to be unpatriotic.
Over the past two years, there have been more signs that Hong Kong’s political elite are driving an increasing mainlandisation, chipping away at the city’s distinctive status and advantages.
The dos and don’ts for district councillors help show that they are more than just patriots supporting the government and that they can make a difference in people’s lives.
Described as ‘high-calibre patriots’ by Hong Kong’s leader, it remains to be seen whether they will improve district bodies.
Hong Kong now looks to ‘patriotic’ councillors successfully returned following a ballot marred by technical glitches and an anticipated low turnout.
- Basketball star Yung Kam-wah, Arnaldo Ho, son of late casino king Stanley Ho, and Fiona Tong, daughter of Isabella Kau, Miss Hong Kong 1982 runner-up among those appointed
- New faces announced as Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak says criteria for selection includes love for ‘both the city and the country’
Government appoints 2,999 members to three committees across 18 districts, 466 more than last term.
Some councillors point to high rental prices as biggest challenge, especially in constituencies located in commercial districts or private housing estates.
Xia Baolong, director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also joined city leader John Lee for dim sum breakfast to discuss municipal-level administration.
The Post dives into what you need to know about Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs and what his latest visit means for the city.
Yeung Sze-wing, 51, sentenced to two months in jail but term is suspended for two years owing to guilty plea and ‘other mitigating factors’.
Authorities offer breakdown of promotion drive for first ‘patriots-only’ district council poll last month, which drew record-low turnout, but stop short of revealing total price tag.
Chief Executive John Lee calls on those taking part in government scheme to focus on community work after former district councillor and his team drop out.
Planned ‘Night Vibes Tsim Sha Tsui’ campaign involves street performances, lighting decorations and activities to boost consumption.
470 councillors swear oath of allegiance under supervision of home affairs chief Alice Mak.
Outgoing councillor says he did not want to become a ‘spineless politician’, so did not seek re-election in the December polls.
Home affair chief Alice Mak discusses new requirement after two closed-door briefings, weeks before new district councillors take office on January 1.
Forty-nine appointees, or 27 per cent, ran in the previous municipal-body election in 2019 and lost.
Chief Executive John Lee urges residents to focus on election outcome and defends voting rate as a ‘good turnout’, despite hitting record low.
Councillors’ performance will affect people’s confidence in electoral system overhauled at the behest of the central government, observers say.
City’s largest pro-establishment parties, DAB and FTU, take lion’s share of seats and votes in first municipal-level poll since overhaul of district councils earlier this year.
Beijing and its local offices offer congratulations to winning candidates, say vote important in implementing the principle of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’.
Political leaders Regina Ip, Stanley Ng and Priscilla Leung hit out at glitch that prompted extension of voting hours, with John Lee vowing investigation into failure.
Hong Kong on election day splits into two camps, with one eager to vote out of civic duty and others giving polling stations wide berth over lack of political diversity.
Voters based in mainland China welcome polling stations set up near border and bus trips to ensure they can join first district election since municipal bodies’ overhaul.
Sixteen defendants will receive verdict in March 2024 at the earliest to find out whether their involvement in primary constitutes ‘grand strategy of subversion’.
