More Electoral System Briefings Held

Principal government officials today continued to meet representatives from different sectors to explain the improvements to Hong Kong's electoral system and render their support.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung met Legislative Council House Committee Chairman Starry Lee and other LegCo members at three briefing sessions.

He hoped that as the electoral system is improved, the executive authorities and the legislature could better interact and co-operate with each other, put aside differences for the common good of the community and develop a cordial, close and constructive working relationship, which will enhance the efficacy of governance.

Mr Cheung thanked the House Committee for setting up a subcommittee that would immediately transform into a bills committee to scrutinise the bill upon its introduction by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

He also wished lawmakers would support the work on local legislation and pass the bill as early as practicable.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan met representatives of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the accounting sector in two briefing sessions, with a total of more than 30 representatives attending.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui also attended the session with the accounting sector.

Mr Chan said an improved electoral system will strengthen the executive-led political system and enhance the governance capability of the Hong Kong SAR Government, thereby enabling the community as a whole to focus on progressively resolving Hong Kong's deep-seated issues to allow sustained social and economic stability and prosperity.

He encouraged participants to brief their sectors and the international community on the improvements to the electoral system, including the importance, necessity and urgency of the amendments.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng continued to meet stakeholders in the community at a briefing session to explain the importance, necessity and legality of improving Hong Kong’s electoral system.

She said that the improvements aim to expand balanced and orderly political participation as well as provide a broader representation of society, reflecting the overall interests of society and signifying an important move to advance Hong Kong's democratic electoral system.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung hosted two briefing sessions with members of the education sector, including representatives from school councils and principals' associations in relation to kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools as well as other education organisations.

Mr Yeung expressed his belief that after improving the system, the executive authorities and the legislature would work smoothly together to expedite people-oriented policies and measures, including providing schools, teachers and students with a more stable learning and teaching environment and solving the problems faced by the sector.

He will continue to meet other members of the education sector, including stakeholders from government advisory bodies on education, school sponsoring bodies and those in post-secondary education.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau briefed representatives of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

At the meeting, he reiterated the necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, highlighting its importance on creating a stable business environment and ensuring Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Mr Yau will conduct a number of briefing sessions next week for various sectors on the relevant amendments, including small and medium enterprises, tourism, hotel, wholesale and retail, textiles and garment, telecommunications, broadcasting, film and performing arts, and publishing.

Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit also attended briefing sessions for two consecutive days to solicit the innovation and technology (I&T) sector’s support.

He said that pooling I&T talent is closely related to a stable social environment and that he strongly believes improving the electoral system can accord with Hong Kong's actual situation and better attend to the overall interests of society, thereby removing the obstacles to economic and social development and restoring peace to the city.

It also creates a favourable environment for I&T development and drives the transformation of industries, making I&T a new impetus to promote economic development and improve people's livelihood. 

More than 40 I&T-related organisations, including State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, research and development centres, trade associations and societies attended the three briefing sessions today.

Some of the participants spoke to the media to show their support for improving the electoral system and the implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong".

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui today visited the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and met its officers to enable them to have a better understanding of the improvements to Hong Kong’s electoral system and the related work.

Mr Tsui said the Home Affairs Bureau will fully engage in the relevant work and provide explanations to various sectors on the importance, necessity and legality of improving the electoral system to gain their staunch support.