Hong Kong leaders anticipate bright future under new electoral system

China Daily talks to different people from various sectors on the first polls held under the improved electoral system on Sunday.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, talks to China Daily about her feelings at the first polls held under the improved electoral system. In her opinion, the future of Hong Kong is very bright with the improved system and a change of rule in the Legislative Council to get rid of the extreme filibuster.

Here is the full transcript of the interview:

Q: How do you feel about the new electoral system?

Ip: I am very excited about the newly reformed system. I think we will return Hong Kong to stability and prosperity and constitutional development back on the right track.

Q: So what do you think of the significance of this improved electoral system?

Ip: The significance is that the new system will ensure the patriots, those who truly support the Basic Law and are loyal to the HKSAR, will be elected and they will be patriots with competence, diligence, who will wholeheartedly serve the Hong Kong SAR.

Q: What are your expectations for committee members when they discharge their duties?

I think they need to be real patriots; it is necessary, but not a sufficient condition. In addition, they will need to have competence and knowledge and diligence to help the executive branch to resolve Hong Kong's deep-rooted problems. At the same time, we have revised our Legislative Council's rules of procedures to get rid of the extreme filibuster. I think the future of Hong Kong looks very bright to me.

Q: Can you elaborate on your previous comments that the extent of competition doesn't reflect the ability of the candidates?

Ip: I don't think the caliber of the candidate can be just measured in terms of the number, the number of voters, or the extent of competition.

The new system allows many who did not wish to participate in noisy mass elections to take part in the governance of Hong Kong. So I think it will return HK's governance to a more rational basis.