Police today (April 7) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Aberdeen. Ting Sze-yi, aged 15, was last seen after she left her residence on Tung Sing Road on M… read more
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, met with representatives of the labour sector and the employers respectively today (April 7) to explain improvements to the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) brought by the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and its Voting Procedures.
Dr Law elaborated on the background and objectives of the improvements to the HKSAR’s electoral system, the importance of “patriots administering Hong Kong” in order to ensure the long-term and stable development of “one country, two systems”, and the urgency of the related legislative amendments. They also exchanged views on the formation of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council under the new legislative amendments.
Attending the two briefing sessions in the morning and afternoon today included the employee representatives of the Labour Advisory Board, Members of the Legislative Council of the labour functional constituency, and representatives of the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, today (April 7) held three briefing sessions, meeting with representatives of District Fight Crime Committees, District Fire Safety Committees and Area Committees of Central and Western District, Islands District and Tuen Mun District respectively. Mr Lee briefed the participants on the amended Annex I “Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)” and Annex II “Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures” to the Basic Law as approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
In the meetings, Mr Lee gave an overview on the background and objectives of the improvements to the electoral system. He said that the Central Authorities, following the enactment of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, specified clearly the regulations of Hong Kong’s electoral system through the amendments, plugging the loopholes and eliminating the deficiencies in the existing electoral system. Citing chaos and illegal acts that happened in various council meetings in the past as examples, Mr Lee pointed out the importance and necessity of full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, as well as safeguarding the constitutional order as enshrined under the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Mr Lee emphasised that improving Hong Kong’s electoral system further enhances its broad representation and balanced participation in accordance with the actual situation in Hong Kong. It allows Hong Kong society to move away from the excessive politicisation and the internal rifts that have plagued the city in recent years, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR.
The participants from the district organisations welcomed and supported improving the electoral system of Hong Kong. They expressed the hope that the HKSAR Government can focus on dealing with economic and livelihood matters in the future, which will help preserve Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, as well as public peace and safety.
The Permanent Secretary for Security, Ms Carol Yip, and the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Security, Mr Cassius Lau, also attended the briefing sessions today.
Mr Lee will continue to meet with representatives of various District Fight Crime Committees, District Fire Safety Committees and Area Committees tomorrow to explain issues related to improving the HKSAR’s electoral system.
read more
The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, today (April 7) hosted a total of six briefing sessions to brief and exchange views with the construction and transport sectors as well as members of related professional institutions on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Participants included representatives from the construction sector, the engineering sector, the surveying and town planning sector, the architectural and landscape profession, the real estate sector and the transport sector. At the meeting, Mr Wong and Mr Chan spoke on the background, objectives and the amendment details of the improvements to the electoral system, and exchanged views with participants. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, also attended the meetings with the engineering sector and the real estate sector, during which she addressed the questions raised by the participants.
Mr Wong reiterated the importance, necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, thereby establishing a political structure that upholds the “one country, two systems” principle, reflects the actual situation of Hong Kong and ensures “patriots administering Hong Kong”. In so doing, the excessive politicisation and internal rifts that have torn the society apart can be effectively mitigated, restoring order from chaos and enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR. The HKSAR will then be able to focus on enhancing economic development and improving people’s livelihood, including addressing the housing and land supply matters, and ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of the city.
Mr Chan also said that by improving the electoral system and ensuring the comprehensive implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and the fundamental political ethics of “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” can be effectively safeguarded, various deep-seated problems can be effectively resolved, thereby ending political strife and social rifts. Hong Kong would then be able to focus on people’s livelihood, economy and development, and to ensure the continued success of the “one country, two systems” and the long-term stability of the city by leveraging its unique advantages and the staunch support of the Central Authorities.
Mr Wong and Mr Chan will continue to meet with members of the trade and brief them on the relevant amendments, enabling stakeholders to have a better understanding of the matter and render their support to related work of the Government.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (April 7) hosted three sessions to brief representatives of small and medium enterprises and the tourism and hotel sectors on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures as approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
At the meeting, Mr Yau reiterated the necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, highlighting its importance to creating a stable business environment and ensuring Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. He called on them to fully support the relevant amendments.
Mr Yau stressed that by improving the electoral system, the excessive politicisation in society and the internal rifts that have torn Hong Kong apart can be effectively mitigated, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR. The HKSAR will then be able to focus on addressing economic and livelihood issues, and developing the economy to achieve long-term prosperity and stability through leveraging its unique advantages and the staunch support of the Central Authorities.
Mr Yau will conduct a number of such briefing sessions in the coming days to brief wholesale and retail, textiles and garment, telecommunications, broadcasting, film and performing arts and publishing sectors respectively on the relevant amendments.
