[Explanation] The Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress is deliberating the "Decision of the National People's Congress on Improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Election System (Draft)". The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said when meeting with the media in Hong Kong on March 8 that the Special Administrative Region The Government welcomes and agrees with the relevant (draft) amendments to Annexes 1 and 2 of the Basic Law.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
I hope to take this opportunity to reiterate the stance of the SAR government to ensure that the control of Hong Kong is in the hands of the patriots. This will enable the principles and policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy to be fully and accurately implemented in Hong Kong. And the SAR government welcomes and supports this work to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system.
[Explanation] Carrie Lam said that the improvement of the electoral system was decided by the Fourth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress, authorizing the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to amend Annex 1 and Annex 2 of the Basic Law, and then revised by Hong Kong. According to local laws, she pointed out that this amendment will be implemented in accordance with the five basic principles.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The first principle is fully and accurately implemented. The policy of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong", and a high degree of autonomy. The second principle is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. Therefore, everyone has noticed that in this work, apart from the constitution , In addition to the Basic Law, the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong National Security Law must also be followed.
The third principle is to adhere to the rule of law in Hong Kong. Therefore, when the National People's Congress makes a decision and the National People's Congress Standing Committee makes amendments to the law, the SAR government still needs to make amendments to the local election system.
The fourth principle is to conform to the actual situation in Hong Kong. The actual situation looking forward is to find a set of electoral system that conforms to the overall interests of Hong Kong, and the election committee is broadly representative.
The last principle, I believe, was written especially for the SAR. It is to improve the governance efficiency of the SAR through the improvement of the system. The chaos in the Legislative Council in the past made it difficult for the SAR government to manage its affairs.
[Commentary] Carrie Lam said that Hong Kong’s electoral system has loopholes and deficiencies, and it is difficult for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to deal with it on its own. She thanked the central government for taking responsibility from the constitutional level once again after enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law, exercising central authority, and helping Hong Kong resolve difficulties.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
As the Chief Executive, facing the loopholes and deficiencies in the electoral system in Hong Kong’s political system, but he clearly understands that the SAR cannot handle this problem on its own. I am very grateful to the Central Government for taking responsibility from the constitutional level again after the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law last year. Take up the responsibility, exercise the power of the central government, and relieve the difficulties of the special zone.
This decision, coupled with the method of amendment, is timely, necessary, and legal and constitutional.
The leadership and decision-making power of the (Central) is beyond doubt.
Reporting from Hong Kong by reporter Liang Yuan and Li Yue
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]