Political situation
Written by: Zhou Haoyi and Chen Jialuo
2021-03-22 07:00
Last update date: 2021-03-22 07:00
The central government took the initiative to reform Hong Kong's electoral system. The Legislative Council will reset the electoral committee sector and occupy a "larger proportion" of seats. The power of the formed parliament is rapidly expanding.
In an interview with "Hong Kong 01", the Deputy Director of the Basic Law Committee, Tan Huizhu, said that the Legislative Council Election Committee sector can be open to non-election committee members to participate in elections to avoid the influence of vested interests or political parties. It also ensures that the government has sufficient votes, but emphasizes elections. Committee members are not "holding mobile phones."
Tan Huizhu pointed out that in the past elections, people who "have won votes but were incapable" believed that patriotism is as important as ability. In the future, candidates for the Legislative Council will need to be nominated by the Election Committee, which will help the selection of capable people.
However, she admits that it is not easy to find patriotic and capable people to participate in politics, or it requires "three-minded grassroots."
Tan Huizhu: If the election committee will not support the "mobile phone lifter"
The National People's Congress passed the "311" decision earlier, and the functions of the Election Committee have been greatly upgraded. In addition to being responsible for the election of the chief executive, it can also elect some members of the Legislative Council and "resurrect" the seats of the early election committee.
During the interview, Tan Huizhu stated that the Legislative Council Election Committee should not be limited to election committee members. Instead, it should be open to non-election committee members. The election committee members represent the overall interests of Hong Kong and assist in policy formulation, implementation and resource allocation. , Not affected by any vested interest groups or political parties.
Under the decision of the National People's Congress, Hong Kong needs to establish a candidate qualification review committee. This is sufficient to ensure that all those who enter the gate are "patriots." Why does the central government still need to co-opt the committee?
Tan Huizhu explained that when the Legislative Council passed laws, it relied on "counting votes." Although members love the country and Hong Kong, it is difficult to solve specific implementation problems if their intentions to the government are divided. Therefore, a certain number of votes is required to support the government.
In previous elections, it can be seen that there are two kinds of members: some are capable of themselves and attract votes; some are attracted to votes but are incapable of themselves.
Tan Huizhu
However, the sudden entry of a large number of "patriots" makes people question the possibility of supporting the government in everything, and even what Tian Feilong called "loyalty waste.
Tan Huizhu responded that if she had a vote, she would not support someone because she was "holding a mobile device." The most important thing is the candidate's ability and vision, and whether she serves the public.
She believes that the Legislative Council is dominated by "patriots," which can attract more social elites to join.
Reference materials: In the 1998 Legislative Council election, the Election Committee produced 10 Legislative Council seats, accounting for one-sixth of the legislative council. They were open to non-election committee members; Fan Xu Litai, Ma Fengguo, Wu Liangxing and others joined the Election Committee to join the Legislative Council; In the 2000 Legislative Council election, the number of seats in the electoral committee was reduced to six, accounting for one in ten. It was formally cancelled in 2004.
If in the future the electoral committee seats are also open to non-election committees, in theory, individuals who do not win the election in direct elections or functional constituencies can also find other ways to join the electoral committee.
+4
+4
+4
Participation in politics has costs and it is difficult to find talents
Tan Huizhu pointed out that members of the Election Committee have certain experience, experience, and vision, and can identify and support qualified individuals to participate in the election, hoping to make up for the shortcomings in the election.
She said frankly that it is not easy to find patriotic and capable people to participate in politics. "This is not an easy task, because participating in politics has an opportunity cost (opportunity cost), so you may have to go to the grass house." She said that the situation will be unpredictable. There may also be many enthusiastic people who want to run for the election.
Regarding the specific number of the Election Committee, Tan Huizhu did not comment. He only said that the Election Committee sector accounted for a "larger proportion". It does not mean that the Election Committee should have half or even more than half of its seats.
Refers to "direct elections" going into a crooked road
This time Beijing has taken a heavy hand in reforming Hong Kong’s political system, and foreign countries have criticized it for harming Hong Kong’s democratic rights. Tan Huizhu pointed out that the relevant statement was completely wrong. The Election Committee of the Legislative Council held 10 seats in the third term of the Legislative Council. By 2014, there were signs that some people did not want to implement universal suffrage in accordance with the Basic Law, but the Hong Kong Government still proceeded according to the "831" decision. Political reform
She also pointed out that 23 years after the reunification, she saw the idea that "direct elections are democracy" was "going into a crooked road." After the Legislative Council increased to 70 seats in 2012, together with the "super district", 40 seats were directly or indirectly elected by districts. "But it did not make Hong Kong more constructive and resolve deep-seated contradictions. On the contrary, it drags the government back. The construction is not easy, doctors are not asking, and the (democrats) have not been involved in the "black violence" in 2019-20. "Cut off the seat."
Tan Huizhu, Deputy Director of the Basic Law Committee.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Can you run for the election if you draw a clear line with the anti-China rioters in Hong Kong? Tan: Democrats don't wash me out!
Tan Huizhu pointed out that Hong Kong must set up a "hybrid" system that can implement "patriots ruling Hong Kong" and take into account the interests of all walks of life, while maintaining direct elections, so that Hong Kong will not "go crooked."
She quoted Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, as saying that "patriots ruling Hong Kong" does not mean "all colors". She believes that as long as a clear line is drawn from the "anti-China chaos in Hong Kong," it is eligible for election.
As for how the democrats can prove that they have a clear line with the "anti-China chaos in Hong Kong", Tan Huizhu only said: "I think I will reflect on myself, I don't want to teach!"
Interview | Tan Huizhu: The National Security Agency can submit information to the review committee and appoint it to be handled by Hong Kong
Tang Jiahua: The Central Government Revises the Electoral System Non-Political Reform to Promote Democrats to Actively Behave as a True Patriot
Is there a conflict in the Chief Executive’s appointment of qualification review committees?
Tan Yaozong said that reasonable opinions will be reflected to the National People's Congress
The Democratic Party organizes the "Mainland and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee" to strengthen the grasp of the central government's guidelines for governing Hong Kong
01News
Basic Law Patriots Governing Hong Kong Tan Huizhu National People’s Congress (People’s Congress) Legislative Council Legislative Council
