Election Committee members vow to seek patriotic leaders

HONG KONG - A total of 190 ex officio members from the new fifth sector of the Election Committee on Thursday pledged to unite the city and seek qualified patriots to administer Hong Kong in order to tackle the city's deep-rooted problems.

The 300-member sector, newly established under the city's electoral overhaul, is made up by two subsectors — one composed of the Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress, and Hong Kong delegates of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, with a total 190 seats; and the other composed of Hong Kong members from five designated national organizations, which have a combined 110 seats. All 190 ex officio members are from the subsector reserved for NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee delegates.

Under the improved electoral system, the committee, which expanded from 1,200 members to 1,500, is tasked with nominating candidates for chief executive and the 90-member Legislative Council, and electing the chief executive and 40 LegCo members. The State Council must subsequently ratify the chief executive's election.

At a press briefing, Tang Ying-yen, a Standing Committee member of the CPPCC National Committee, said all CPPCC Hong Kong delegates will ensure the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and select a qualified and competent governing team for the city.

Issues related to people's livelihoods and the city's deep-seated problems, such as issues related to housing, medical services and disparity between the rich and poor, will be their top concerns, Tang said.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's delegate to the NPC Standing Committee, told the media that the NPC deputies will take the lead to firmly uphold the "one country, two systems" principle, safeguard national sovereignty and security and the nation's interests.

Tam also said that they will keep an open mind to the public's voice, work with all walks of life in Hong Kong to solve the city's social problems, and make an all-out effort to improve people's livelihoods.

All 190 of the Election Committee's fifth-sector ex officio members will set up street booths this weekend citywide to explain the city's improved electoral system to residents, and listen to their thoughts and suggestions, Tam said.

The subsector elections of the Election Committee, scheduled to be held on Sept 19, are the first elections to be held under the improved electoral system, which was adopted by the nation's top legislature in March.