Beijing Knows My Views, Public Can't Be Told: CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that she had already offered her views to Beijing on how Hong Kong’s electoral systems should be reformed, but it wouldn't be right for her to tell the Hong Kong public what she said.

Before attending the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lam was asked at a media session whether she would meet mainland officials, including deputy head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Zhang Xiaoming, as they collect views on the planned overhaul.

Lam said she met Zhang on Monday, but not to give him her views on the changes.

“The chief executive does not have to give her views within these few days. If you have paid attention to the process of the formulation of this decision in Beijing, central authorities' officials have already listened to views offered by the SAR government, in particularly the chief executive,” she said.

“But it’s inappropriate for me to tell you what views I’ve presented. However, of course, we will continue to play this role of offering views,” she added.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) last week approved Beijing's decision to expand the mandate of the chief executive election committee, so that it will not only choose Hong Kong's top leader, but also help vet Legco candidates and select some lawmakers as well.

Beijing has also revealed that Legco will be expanded from 70 seats to 90.

The NPC Standing Committee will later finalise amendments to annexes 1 and 2 of the Basic Law, with this to be followed by local legislation.

Lam claimed the changes will make the election committee more broadly representative.

"What we are aiming at in adjusting the election committee is to ensure that it is more broadly representative of the interest in Hong Kong, is to reflect the actual situation in Hong Kong, and to ensure that in future more people will be representing the holistic interest, rather than the sectorial interest in Hong Kong," she said.

The chief executive also said the government will make an announcement in due course on whether the next Legco elections can be held on September 5 as suggested, or whether they will be delayed even further.