Hong Kong’s new lawmakers must demonstrate ‘effective democracy’: John Lee
City leader says at high-level seminar that new legislature must continue momentum of current Legco and reflect ‘perfect partnership of patriots’
The next Legislative Council should remain united and cooperate with the government to demonstrate “effective democracy” and the “perfect partnership of patriots”, while adopting both national and international perspectives to address Hong Kong’s challenges, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said.
Lee made his call at a high-level seminar on Thursday centring on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and it followed a wave of incumbent lawmakers announcing they will not seek re-election when their term ends next week.
The two-week nomination period begins on October 24, and the poll will be held on December 7, the second since Beijing overhauled the electoral system to ensure only “patriots” held power.
Lee hailed the sitting lawmakers for “completely reversing” the past situation, when the legislature was hijacked by anti-China forces.
“There are no longer filibusters or adjournments of meetings any more. [Lawmakers] no longer deliberately insult officials or paralyse proceedings, disrupt governance, publicly collude with foreign forces and agents, or seek foreign sanctions against officials and judicial officers,” he said.
“We no longer see any acts which seriously threaten national security or jeopardise the city’s constitutional order, rule of law and social order.”
Lee also praised the efficiency of lawmakers, noting they had passed about 130 bills, including the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and a law regulating ride-hailing services.