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Written by: Liu Yanwen
2021-04-26 19:12
The last update date: 2021-04-26 19:12
After the anti-amendment turmoil in 2019, the central government introduced the blockbuster "Hong Kong District National Security Law", and the SAR government therefore proposed the "Public Service (Participation and Appointment) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2021", which requires district councilors to Public officials must swear to uphold the Basic Law and allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is expected that the second reading will resume in the middle of next month.
In Hong Kong, which is highly politicized, many people believe that this move is aimed at suppressing the democratized district councilors who took advantage of the anti-amendment law to make a complete comeback. Some even refused to take the oath to resign.
This is really thought-provoking. As a member who shoulders the burden of community governance, is it important for political expressions or for people's livelihood practices?
As for the SAR government, which has the "power of life and death," when it is in charge of the destiny of district board members, should it adopt a "one size fits all" political stance or should it be realistic to allow more "patriots" to participate in the work of community governance?
"Hong Kong 01" interviewed four district councillors with completely different political spectrums to see how they reflected on "community governance" after many political shocks.
Rethinking Community Governance Series Report No. 5
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Kai Tak Central and Southern District Councillor Zhang Jingxun is an independent candidate of the establishment. He faced the Civic Party candidate Liang Yongxin in the 2019 district election. At that time, the district was a "white district" (new district).
Zhang Jingxun, a former member of the Liberal Party, quit the party before the district election and became an independent candidate.
Although he had a political background, it was his first time running for a district council.
As an establishment who participated in the election for the first time and won in the "white area", the reporter was curious about his "excellence". "I think the first step in serving this area is to be sincere (for the citizens). Service. Different people need different things, and I will try my best to meet their needs." Zhang Jingxun said in a positive tone.
During his visit, he cited many regional affairs that he had handled to reporters, ranging from opposing the construction of transitional houses in the area, reflecting the residents’ willingness to set up a monorail, and helping an elderly person who died alone at home. Assist in dealing with his aftermath.
After listening to his political achievements, I can understand why he can "stand firm" in a situation that is unfavorable to the establishment.
Zhang Jingxun cited many regional affairs that he had handled, ranging from opposing the construction of transitional houses in the district to helping an elderly person who died alone at home.
(Data Picture/Photo by Chen Nuoxi)
As a representative authorized by public opinion, the responsibility of district councilors is to collect opinions from residents on district affairs and then reflect them to government departments.
Zhang Jingxun knows his responsibilities as a district councillor, but he believes that only expressing the wishes of the residents is not enough. "Be a different councillor, how do you plan for the residents a little bit forward? I think the district councillors have such functions. "
Zhang Jingxun think the so-called" forward-looking ", is the" take a further step. "(more than take a step) to deal with a problem.
He cited the opening of an elementary school in the district as an example. "I don't just know when it will be stationed and when it will be built. Instead, I will go to Tianhong Elementary School to learn about their school philosophy or students, and what kind of car will I use for transportation? Because this will affect the access of vehicles in the area." He is "forward-looking" and can make plans for the future life of residents, so that stakeholders who have not entered the community can think about one more step to help them integrate into the community. This is indeed the support of the residents. His reason.
Should be "powerful" not just "patriots"
Citizens point their finger at the establishment in the district elections. In addition to being dominated by the political atmosphere, the work performance of the establishment councillors and their attitude towards government administration also have a great influence.
For example, before the district election, "Hong Kong 01" interviewed the pro-democracy candidate Chen Jialin and the establishment candidate Li Jialiang in Saigon. Li Jialiang had served as the district councillor for about eight years before the election. He was able to deal with the traffic congestion that had plagued the residents of Saigon for many years, and his election platform was not specific enough, which made him lose to Chen Jialin, who is still a political veteran.
From this example, it can be seen that the loss of votes by the establishment is not unreasonable. The surviving establishment district councillor must become a "capable", not just a "patriot" in order to regain the trust of the public.
In addition to expressing residents’ opinions to the government and assisting them in solving problems in the district, the duties of district councilors are also to participate in the community’s macro-planning in the council.
Zhang Jingxun, who has "forward-looking" thinking, may be called a "capable person" who can shoulder the two major responsibilities of district councillors-to make suggestions for district planning in the council, and follow the people's hearts, and indeed reflect to the government on behalf of the citizens demand.
The public's targeting of the establishment in the district elections of the previous year has nothing to do with the performance of some establishment district councilors.
(Profile picture)
Because of the accumulated dissatisfaction with the government over the years, the citizens expressed their political stance in the district council elections.
When asked about the gradual politicization of communities, Zhang Jingxun said that a community cannot be completely "depoliticized." "I think everyone must have their own ideas and ideas, and residents may not have the same political ideas as me. , But as a district councillor, as long as he is a stakeholder in this district, I will help.” He said that even if he supports the government to “improve the electoral system,” he will not promote political ideas all the time. “Frankly speaking , I say that these will not help them.” District council elections may represent democracy and a political philosophy, but after the candidates are elected, political ideas will no longer be effective. Instead, they will do a good job in regional work. Residents’ votes "get their votes," and democracy is truly practiced.
Although the democrats and the establishment have different political views, they should have common goals in regional work.
Zhang Jingxun was surprised that his proposal was supported by democratic members.
In September last year, the government proposed to build transitional housing in Kai Tak District. The plan was not discussed in the district council. Charitable organizations have already subscribed to the project and drafted the entire planning blueprint.
Zhang Jingxun said that the residents were extremely opposed to the plan, but he was not optimistic about overthrowing the plan after consulting his seniors in the district council.
In the end, he collected public opinion and signed the plan to shelve the plan in the council. However, the cooperation between the democrats and the establishment district councillors is "indispensable." "I am grateful that in the district councils, not just the establishment district councillors oppose it. Some democratic district councillors also opposed it. Afterwards, I would like to thank them very much.” He also said that the institutional, non-incorporated, and pan-democratic councillors worked very hard and did everything very practically.
In fact, the democrats and the establishment have the possibility of cooperating in regional affairs. After political views are eliminated, the district councils may be better able to deal with people's livelihood issues.
The above is excerpted from the 262th "Hong Kong 01" Weekly Report (April 26, 2021) "Rethinking Community Governance-What kind of district council does Hong Kong need".
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Selected content of the 262 issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly News:
[Cover Story] Rethinking Community Governance-What kind of district council does Hong Kong need
Visit to HKBU Fact Check Center to combat fake news and improve media literacy of all citizens
Pursue a better life with Hong Kong society
Climate disasters are more harmful than epidemics. Sustainable investment becomes the "next normal"
The success and crisis of the Cuban model at the end of the Castro era
District Council District Council Election 201901 Weekly Report in-depth report on the establishment
