Political situation
Written by: Peng Zhuowei, Zhou Lixi, Liu Jinhua
2020-11-27 16:13
Last update date: 2020-11-27 17:41
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the "Policy Address" on Wednesday, proposing to amend local laws such as the "Oaths and Declarations Ordinance" and the "Legislative Council Ordinance" within this year to improve the arrangements for oaths; it will also study electronic ticket distribution, mainland voting and caring teams, etc. Later proposed amendments to the relevant regulations.
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Zeng Guowei, held a press conference this afternoon (27th) to explain the measures.
Zeng Guowei first explained the bureau's future work in general.
He pointed out that the bureau had studied the feasibility of some of the recommendations made by the EAC for elections, such as giving priority to those in need and voting overseas.
He pointed out that as a caring society, Hong Kong should provide caring arrangements for people in need, such as allowing pregnant women and the elderly to vote.
He mentioned that there is a certain degree of flexibility in using electronic ticket dispatch, instead of dividing teams by letters.
Regarding overseas voting, it has been pointed out that the law requires in-person voting. It has been noted that a large number of voters cannot return to Hong Kong due to the epidemic. There are voices in the community asking for more convenient arrangements. However, the bureau must also consider fairness and justice, etc., and consider holistic considerations, such as how to transport the ballot boxes, the law Problems, how to deal with emergencies in the Mainland, etc.
He emphasized that the government is studying the report and recommendations of the EAC and will consult the Legislative Council after formulating a feasible plan.
The feasibility of mainland voting research needs to be handled carefully
When asked about the government's research on the progress of voting in the Mainland, Zeng Guowei said that he is currently studying the possibility of improving election arrangements with relevant departments, including voting in the Mainland, emphasizing that elections must be conducted under the principle of fairness and openness. Therefore, they need to be handled carefully. Will not rashly introduce measures.
Zeng Guowei said that the government is currently adopting an open attitude towards improving election arrangements, but there is no specific timetable, and relevant arrangements will be made based on the results of the study.
Tsang Kwok-wai also expressed that there are different opinions in the hope that the electoral system can be improved. He believes that Hong Kong has the conditions to distribute votes electronically to improve voting efficiency.
In addition, Zeng Guowei said that most people think that there should be care arrangements for people in need. However, the current law does not have relevant powers. Therefore, the government will amend the law in the future so that the government has appropriate powers to provide convenience to people in need. service.
The Hong Kong and Taiwan reporter asked again that the policy address attached to the policy address stated that overseas voting was introduced to facilitate the 2021 election. It asked whether the Hong Kong government had "faded" and whether the public officials included after the amendment included district councilors.
Zeng Guowei responded again and pointed out that he did hope to proceed next year, but the premise is to seek truth from facts and proceed steadily, emphasizing the improvement of election arrangements as mature and doing so first.
As for the scope of public officials, Zeng Guowei reiterated that the factors considered are concentrated on the interpretation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the content of principles, and court cases.
He stated that there is no specific decision yet and will submit it to the Legislative Council for deliberation as soon as possible after completing the study.
To amend relevant laws and submit oaths to the Legislative Council as soon as possible
As for the issue of taking oaths, Zeng Guowei pointed out that after the National People’s Congress Committee explained Article 104 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government has been actively studying how to better implement the relevant principles, because there is currently no explicit way to swear an oath other than the text, and there is no prescribed violation Code of conduct.
He pointed out that after referring to the interpretation and other requirements of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the bureau will later amend the relevant laws to complete the study and draft as soon as possible and submit it to the Legislative Council as soon as possible.
Zeng Guowei pointed out that the national flag and national emblem laws have been revised in the Mainland and they have been included in Annex III of the Basic Law for implementation in Hong Kong. After that, the bureau will carry out local legislation in accordance with its legislative principles, and will give full play to the original intent to enhance citizens’ national concepts while taking into account the local Legislation to fulfill the constitutional responsibility of the Special Administrative Region.
After the amendment, the mechanism for handling improper oaths will be specified without mentioning whether district councilors are included
Sing Tao Daily asked about the amendment to the oath, whether the supervisor can immediately DQ and how to follow up the appeal; whether the scope of the amendment includes district board members; and whether the Legislative Council election next year will be affected by the epidemic and whether overseas voting can be achieved.
In response, Zeng Guowei pointed out that the focus of the amendment after the interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law is to better implement interpretations, court rulings and recent decisions of the National People's Congress.
He pointed out that the supervisor is indeed the direction of the work, but there is no final decision on who will act.
He mentioned that Chief Executive Carrie Lam had responded to this, "As the chief of the SAR, I personally think there is no problem." For example, the judges are supervised by the Chief Executive.
As for how to deal with violations after the oath is taken, Zeng Guowei said that the qualifications of a member of the Legislative Council will no longer be recognized after breaking the oath. Therefore, the relevant mechanisms will be listed after the amendment.
As for whether the district councils are included, Zeng Guowei responded that the main considerations are the content of the interpretation, the interpretation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the court ruling.
Regarding overseas voting, he said that there are many difficulties that need to be dealt with. If it is considered feasible and can promote fairness and justice, of course it will be launched, but the bureau will not launch it rashly.
As for next year’s election, Zeng Guowei said that he would closely monitor the situation.
The policy address mentioned how to better build the Greater Bay Area. Zeng Guowei said that it will bring more space for youth and innovation and technology.
He emphasized that the construction of the Greater Bay Area is a major national development strategy that will provide important support for Hong Kong’s economic recovery. He believes that Hong Kong can make full use of "One Country, Two Systems" and actively participate in the dual cycle of domestic and foreign countries. The authorities will actively coordinate and coordinate different areas in the policy address. Measures.
"Easy Return to Hong Kong" has 5,000 people returning to Hong Kong without compulsory quarantine
Zeng Guowei emphasized that at present, Hong Kong's primary task is to control the epidemic. At present, we cannot relax in order to achieve the "three-place joint defense" of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
He mentioned that the Hong Kong Government has launched the "Easy Return to Hong Kong". Since its implementation on November 23, 5,000 people have returned to Hong Kong via the Mainland without requiring 14-day compulsory quarantine. The current consensus is that Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao use health codes and Nucleic acid detection exchange processing.
He also mentioned that last year's social incidents affected the mainland's confidence in Hong Kong. In the future, activities such as mutual visits between the two places will be carried out in the mainland to promote Hong Kong.
The bureau will monitor public opinion in the Mainland and launch relevant work in due course.
Yuan Minzhong, Development Commissioner of the Greater Bay Area, said that the main task of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office is to coordinate the consistency of policies and measures related to the development of the Greater Bay Area, and will also contact and communicate with all parties.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Greater Bay Area Development Office ensures consistent measures across departments
The "Policy Address" also included a number of measures involving the Greater Bay Area. The Development Commissioner of the Greater Bay Area, Yuan Minzhong, also attended the press conference.
Yuan Minzhong said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office has three main tasks.
The first is to promote, coordinate and coordinate policy innovation, and strengthen the internal coordination of all relevant departments of the policy bureaus of the SAR government, especially to coordinate the consistency of policies and measures related to the construction of the Greater Bay Area.
In addition, the Development Office will serve as the secretariat of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Construction Steering Committee to assist the Chief Executive through the committee to ensure the effective implementation and advancement of the policies and measures discussed.
Externally, the Development Office will be responsible for liaising with relevant central ministries and commissions, such as the Office of the Leading Group for the Construction of the Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Guangdong Provincial Government, and 9 municipal governments.
In addition, the Development Office also plays the role of communicating with stakeholders from all walks of life in Hong Kong. For example, it will communicate and cooperate with chambers of commerce and professional organizations to understand and collect their opinions on the development of the Greater Bay Area, and ensure that the contents of the policies introduced meet the needs and needs of all sectors of Hong Kong. interest.
The Development Office will also be responsible for the promotion and promotion of the Greater Bay Area, and will deepen the community’s understanding of the development of the Greater Bay Area, such as the opportunities for citizens and enterprises in the Greater Bay Area, and disseminate more comprehensive information to all sectors of the community to encourage the industry And opportunities for professionals to explore the Greater Bay Area.
Depending on the development of the epidemic, the Development Office will carry out promotion work locally and overseas.
Zeng Guowei said that his cervical spine was degenerated and he needed to do some relief exercises from time to time.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Acknowledging that the situation was poor on the day of the policy address and now no need to take medicine
After introducing the work of the authorities, Zeng Guowei took the initiative to explain that he had dozed off during the reading of the "policy address".
He explained that he was unwell at the time and was taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, so he was sleepy after eating. The doctor also advised him to take more rest. However, as the chief official, he must fully support the Chief Executive’s release of the Policy Address, so he could not rest. .
He also mentioned that his cervical spine is degenerating, so his head often moves in depression.
Zeng Guowei admitted that the situation was poor that day, and emphasized that he usually "likes to keep copying the contents of the meeting during the meeting."
He continued that he went to the Legislative Council yesterday because there was no food and medicine, so no relevant situation happened again. Thank you media friends for your concern and "will continue to do my job well."
Zeng Guowei also revealed that Chief Executive Carrie Lam had never asked him about his recent physical discomfort, and emphasized that the public does not need to over-interpret and speculate, saying that when anyone is uncomfortable and tired, they think this is quite normal.
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