Pro-Beijing Members Hail Planned Election Changes

Pro-Beijing lawmakers on Friday voiced unanimously support for Beijing’s planned changes to Hong Kong's electoral system, saying they are much needed to ensure the territory's “long-term stability and prosperity”.

In a statement, Legco president Andrew Leung said the changes are "understandable and appropriate", as they can help restore normalcy to the SAR by establishing a "peaceful and rational Legco" and minimising any unnecessary disputes.

He added that he believes people with different opinions can continue to serve in the council following the changes, as the central government has been “very understanding” of the political diversity in Hong Kong.

Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Priscilla Leung echoed these views, saying the amendments are required to correct a "problematic system", adding they “aren’t targeted at a particular political camp”.

“People have to perform. People have to have the talent and meet the required standard, not just by shouting out political slogans and holding out political colours... You have to look at the substance and their performance… the game is new for everyone, it’s not particularly designed for a camp. Actually, it’s designed for the future of Hong Kong,” she said.

The pro-government Liberal Party and the DAB also hailed the proposed changes, saying they’re much needed to “plug loopholes" in the existing election system.

“Otherwise, if we let this situation to continue, finally that would ruin the entire city. Views opposing government policies are always welcome; Hong Kong is a city with diverse views. But what we want to point out is if people are advocating Hong Kong independence, or posing serious threats to national security, that is not allowed. So I think it’s time to draw the red line. People who call it regression … that’s totally just trying to smear the electoral reform,” DAB councillor Holden Chow said.

However, Civic Passion lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai – one of only two legislators from outside the pro-establishment camp who have not resigned or been expelled – said he believes the pro-democracy camp will very much be wiped out from Legco in future.

“It seems that the system is shifting from direct democratic process of election towards a kind of indirect and Chinese-style election. In general, the number of Legco members in the council may be more, then the authorities, they would say that they have greater degree of representativeness of the society. But I think we need more open procedures in the election, rather than the number only,” he said.