(Essential questions) Wang Zhenmin: Why does the new Hong Kong election system have three sets of "true"?
China News Service, Beijing, December 20th, title: Why does Hong Kong’s new electoral system have three sets of "true"?
Author: Wang Zhenmin, Director, Hong Kong and Macau Studies Center, Tsinghua University
On December 19, the election of the seventh legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was successfully held.
This is the first large-scale territory-wide election after the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's electoral system has been improved at the national and SAR levels in the first half of this year. It is a major actual test of the new electoral system.
Millions of Hong Kong people stepped out to cast their sacred votes and elect their favorite legislators.
Practice has proved that the new election system is a good system that conforms to Hong Kong's reality. Three sets of "truths" can be used to explain the characteristics of this election.
On December 19, the election of the seventh legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam came to the polling station of the High Bishop's College in Hong Kong to vote and then met with reporters.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Zhihua
First, it's really safe and tolerant.
The new election system emphasizes both political security and political tolerance.
First of all, the new election system resolutely implements the principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong" to ensure the security of Hong Kong's regime.
Maintaining national security is the first factor that all countries and all places must consider when designing election systems.
This time 153 candidates passed the review and met the qualifications for the election. They are all patriots.
No matter who is elected, it is necessary to ensure that the governing power of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in the hands of the patriots, and to completely solve the problem of regime security that has plagued Hong Kong for many years.
This is the biggest advantage and bright spot of the new electoral system.
Love the country and love Hong Kong is the most basic requirement for politicians. It is not high at all, and it is not difficult at all. It is very easy for most Hong Kong people to reach, and ultimately only a very few are excluded.
This is in full compliance with the design requirements of all countries in the world for the electoral system.
When any country designs its own electoral system, safety is the first priority, and it will not allow people who do not accept the country’s local constitutional order at all and represent foreign countries to implement "color revolutions" in their country to take power.
Talking about "patriots ruling Hong Kong" and electoral security is not "all-in-one" or "monophonic", but great political tolerance and colorful.
As Mr. Xia Baolong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, pointed out in his speech on December 6, the new electoral system is very politically inclusive. Candidates come from different political groups and political factions, representing different political spectrums. Hold different political ideas and ambitions.
Many people with different political opinions and opinions were successfully nominated.
They compete on the same platform as all candidates for the Legislative Council elections, reflecting the maximum openness and tolerance of the new electoral system.
He also said that as long as you love your country and Hong Kong, anyone, regardless of class, sector, occupation, or ethnicity will have the opportunity to participate; in terms of values, no matter what kind of ideology, political attitude, or whatever. All kinds of religious beliefs and any kind of interest appeal have the opportunity to participate; no matter which kind of system they believe in and which way of life they like, they have the opportunity to participate.
"Under the banner of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, we will maximize the radius of tolerance and diversity, and draw the largest concentric circle that conforms to Hong Kong's fundamental interests as the practice of'one country, two systems' is stable and far-reaching, Hong Kong is prosperous and stable for a long time, and Hong Kong compatriots rush towards a better life."
The election of the 7th Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be held on December 19.
The picture shows that many voters from the Election Committee sector came to the polling station of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center to vote that morning.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
Second, true democracy and true competition.
As the national security law hangs high, the intervention of external forces is blocked, and politicians who oppose China’s chaos in Hong Kong leave the scene, the democratic rights of Hong Kong people can be truly demonstrated, the silent majority can freely exercise their rights, and public opinion will no longer be affected. Riding, being deceived, and distorted.
Politicians retired and the people appeared.
The voice of politicians has become smaller, and the voice of the people has become louder.
In the past elections in Hong Kong, some politicians often bluffed, made noisy comments, and performed all kinds of outstanding performances in order to defraud votes.
On the contrary, the true sentiments and sentiments of the people were overwhelmed and ignored, and they could not be truly reflected in the tumultuous elections.
The new election system takes the democratic rights of Hong Kong people from the hands of politicians and returns them to the people.
Therefore, this is an election that truly allows Hong Kong people to choose freely and to be the masters of their own affairs. It is a true democratic and true election.
Hong Kong’s election has since become a democratic life for all Hong Kong residents without external interference.
The important manifestation of true democracy and true elections is true competition.
Without competition, there will be no elections.
Hong Kong’s past elections were a competition between the establishment and the opposition, and the two armies faced each other in the Han and Chu borders.
Now that the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong are ruled out, they are all patriots running for the election. Therefore, some people think that there is no competition in Hong Kong's elections.
This is the biggest misunderstanding of Hong Kong's new electoral system.
The new electoral system solves security issues, not eliminates competition.
The difference is that in the past it was a competition between the establishment and the opposition, but now it is a competition between patriots with a diverse political spectrum.
Judging from the situation of this election campaign, the intensity is no less intense than in the past.
There is competition in all sectors and regions, and all candidates will test their political platforms, ideas, experience, and abilities fairly on the same platform. They are more focused on the economy and people’s livelihood than patriotism and Hong Kong, and are no longer more prominent than others’ words and deeds as in past elections. , More extreme.
Such competition is real competition, not political performance.
Hong Kong's democracy is changing from fierce confrontation and vicious competition in the past to fair, just, benign and rational competition.
For the first time in many years, Hong Kong people exercised their right to vote calmly and calmly in a stable and peaceful atmosphere. They are no longer forced out or tricked out to vote cautiously because of the fierce confrontation between the "two armies".
Because of this change, this election is far cleaner, purer, and peaceful than in the past, and complaints have been greatly reduced.
This election was conducted in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, and the original appearance of the election and the true essence of democracy were demonstrated.
This is true competition, true elections, and true democracy.
On December 19, the election of the seventh legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held.
At 8:30 in the morning, voters successively entered the polling station of the Yau Ma Tei Kaifong Association School under the guidance of the staff.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo
Third, it is really broad and really balanced.
The new electoral system has broad representation and balanced participation.
Because of these changes, the new electoral system has attracted more new faces to stand for election.
In the past, people who did not bother to compete with those clowns and politicians on the same stage and who were determined to serve Hong Kong came forward. There are elites in politics, business, academia, and professionals, as well as grassroots workers, employees, and small and medium-sized business operators. There are not only Hong Kong people who were born and raised in Hong Kong, but also "Hong Kong drifters" who were born in the Mainland and Taiwan and speak Mandarin and "foreigners" who have acquired Chinese nationality. There are both experienced seniors and enterprising young people.
Candidates and elected candidates have unprecedented diverse backgrounds.
In particular, people living in public housing and "subdivided housing", bus captains, and registered electricians have become candidates for election to the Legislative Council. This is the first time in Hong Kong's history.
While ensuring broad representation, Hong Kong’s new electoral system also ensures even more balanced participation.
As a capitalist society, the business and financial sectors must have sufficient participation. While conducive to the development of capitalist economy, it also takes into account the interests of all social strata and sectors, and better balances the overall interests of Hong Kong, the interests of sectors and the region. Benefits are based on solving deep-seated contradictions and problems in Hong Kong.
In short, when many countries and localities in the world made the "democracy" and "elections" miserable and miserable due to the intervention of external forces, we saw the tide of Xiangjiang, a new form of democracy, and an original election order. The world is refreshing, bringing new hopes to Hong Kong and new hopes to democracy.
(Finish)
Expert profile:
Wang Zhenmin, Professor of Law School of Tsinghua University, Dean of the National Governance Research Institute of Tsinghua University, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Research Center of Tsinghua University, Vice President of the National Hong Kong and Macau Research Association, concurrently a special supervisor of the Supreme People’s Court, a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Chinese Law Member of the Academic Committee of the Society, etc.
He used to be the Dean of the School of Law of Tsinghua University, and the head of the Legal Department of the Liaison Office of the Hong Kong Central Committee.
He was awarded the title of Top Ten Outstanding Young Jurists in the country, and he is a Special Allowance Expert of the State Council, and a “Young and Middle-aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions” in the National Talent Project.
The main research directions are constitutional law, the Chinese Communist Party's internal regulations and systems, and legal issues in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
He has published more than 100 papers and more than 10 books in academic journals at home and abroad.