I'll Root Out Those Who Don't Truly Believe: John Lee

Chief Secretary John Lee has vowed to leave no stone unturned when it comes to vetting those who hope to join Hong Kong's Election Committee (EC), to make sure only true believers make it through the selection process.

His warning came as the nomination period opened on Friday for the EC subsectors.

Not only will the 1,500-member committee choose the next chief executive, but from now on it will also select a large proportion of the territory's legislators.

In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, Lee said the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee he chairs will look at all sort of matters relating to EC hopefuls, from any articles they have written and remarks they have made, to who they have dealings with.

The number two official said people won't be rejected just for criticising the government, unless they have done something to endanger national security, such as calling for independence or failing to respect the country's political system.

"How does the committee judge if the people will genuinely uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the SAR? ... Apart from obeying and supporting, they also have to defend and believe. We will see if they are truthful or not," Lee said.

The chief secretary said his panel is expected to announce on August 26 a list of candidates who have made it through the vetting, as well as the number of people disqualified.