Tang: 'Patriots administering Hong Kong' has widened participation in new legislature

Editor's Notes: Hong Kong will hold its first Legislative Council election under the improved electoral system on Sunday. China Daily talked to an array of representatives from Hong Kong's various sectors to weigh in on the upcoming election and Hong Kong's democracy. Henry Tang Ying-yen, chairman of the board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" allows widespread participation and will bring diversity into the new legislature.

Xia Baolong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, delivered a speech on Dec 6 on "writing a new chapter in Hong Kong's democratic development". It laid a solid foundation for the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and enriched the significance of the revamped electoral system of the city.

Quality candidates are essential to an election. Hong Kong's revamped electoral system attracts high-quality, capable, committed and loyal patriots to run for election to the Legislative Council. Xia said that the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle allows for widespread participation by broadening the stage for contestants. Instead of creating a homogenous governing team, the principle will bring diversity, as captured in the Chinese phrase "five lights and ten colors". It will only forbid anti-China elements advocating Hong Kong independence from entering the governing team.

The central government has said that a pluralistic society like the one in Hong Kong should have a range of voices in the legislature. Sunday's election is the first Legislative Council election after the revamp of Hong Kong's electoral system. The participation of people from a wide range of backgrounds can bring voices of different sectors into the legislature and facilitate healthy and active discussions. This election is highly competitive and all seats will be contested. Xia listed four advantages of the new electoral system, namely broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition.

The orderly commencement of elections to the seventh Legislative Council bears great significance to the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", the development of a democratic system that fits the actual situation of Hong Kong, and the shaping of a new pattern of good governance. The new election system purges election campaigns of the vicious, aggressive and populist squabbles characteristic of bad democracy. It also rejects social fragmentation and physical confrontation.

Campaigns can concentrate on people's livelihood and social development issues, and on demonstrating the candidates' competencies and qualities. Candidates from different positions of the political spectrum can compete on the grounds of election platforms, competence and interaction with voters from different sectors, enabling comprehensive and in-depth discussions on economic and livelihood issues that are of primary concern to society. It also helps to channel public opinion and shape policy recommendations that are more in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong.

Finally, I hope to take this opportunity to call on all eligible voters to cast their votes on Dec 19, fulfil their civic duty, and elect members of the Legislative Council who love the country and Hong Kong and are committed to serving the public.