Vetting Panel To Comprise Of Respectable, Old People

Hong Kong's sole delegate to the nation's top legislative body, Tam Yiu-chung, said on Friday that he expects a new committee to be set up to vet candidates for public office would comprise of around 20 people familiar with the Basic Law who are not planning to run in any elections.

The new body is part of Beijing's plan to overhaul the SAR's election system so that only "patriots" are allowed to govern Hong Kong.

Speaking at a sharing session with members of his own DAB party, Tam said the screening panel must be made up of respectable people with credibility.

“They must not have plans to take part in any elections, or else there would be conflict of interests. So I expect them to be of an older age,” he said.

The pro-Beijing heavyweight added he agrees with suggestions that members of the vetting committee should be nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

Meanwhile, DAB chairwoman Starry Lee said lawmakers will work very hard to scrutinise the electoral changes to be tabled at Legco to make sure the upcoming polls can be held.

She said she expects additional meetings to be held in the evenings, public holidays and Legco’s summer break in order to get the work done.