Political situation
Written by: Lin Jian and Chen Jialuo
2021-05-06 07:00
Last update date: 2021-05-06 09:55
After Beijing took the initiative to modify the Hong Kong election system, the safety factor has been greatly improved. Zhang Zhigang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the president of the One Country, Two Systems Research Center, said in an exclusive interview with "Hong Kong 01" that Hong Kong's political agenda has been reshuffled, and the central government no longer needs to worry about election "trouble" affecting the country. Interests, that the next chief executive election should be open to competition, at least let two people enter the gate to compete.
Zhang Zhigang believes that the central government needs to consider establishing a stronger system in the long run to measure the performance of the chief executive with clearer key performance indicators (KPIs). If the chief executive fails to meet the requirements, there will be substantial consequences.
Zhang Zhigang, known as a "Liang Fan", recently criticized Tang Jiahua, a member of the guild, for supporting Lam Cheng Yuee's re-election with the "devil theory". An "outpost battle" for the chief executive seems to have started quietly.
Zhang Zhigang said that he does not know whether Liang Zhenying will join the power again, but he believes that if the other party serves as the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as the chief executive, there is certainly no so-called "degradation", but instead has the "advantage" of direct access to Beijing. "Zhou Enlai also served as foreign minister For a long time, has anyone ever said that he was "degraded"?" He even pointed out that even if it is difficult to balance the two, I believe Liang Zhenying would rather resign from the CPPCC post and only become the chief executive.
Zhang Zhigang, known as the "Liang Fan", said that if Liang Zhenying re-elects the chief executive, he is also an advantage to concurrently serve as the vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Refers to the "consequences" of the chief executive's ineffectiveness: how to implement the power of supervision without indicators?
Zhang Zhigang was a member of the guild in the Liang Zhenying era. After leaving office, he seldom commented on the performance of the current government. However, in recent months, people in the "Liang Camp" frequently "fired." Zhang Zhigang wrote an article at the end of last year critically criticizing the government for its ineffective anti-epidemic measures. With an attitude of "spreading out my hands, I have no plans", the effectiveness of the fight against the epidemic has been completely compared with the mainland, Taiwan and Macau.
Zhang Zhigang explained in the interview that the central government’s power to appoint chief executives is substantive, and it also has the power to supervise the SAR. In the future, it is also necessary to consider introducing "KPI" indicators similar to companies’ performance for chief executives to measure whether their governance performance meets the standards. Failure to do well will "have consequences": "If the management of the company is not doing well, will it be kicked out at the general meeting of shareholders?" He pointed out that the performance of voters in democratic countries will be reflected in the next ballot, but the Hong Kong system does not have this arrangement. Therefore, the political responsibility for the performance of the chief executive lies with the central government.
Zhang Zhigang said that he understands that there are some indicators in the political world that are difficult to quantify, but there are always some obvious indicators, such as economic growth, employment, residential conditions, medical services, etc., that can be accurately measured; some policies are indeed difficult to see in the short term. Achievements, but at least there must be a statement, specific solutions, and some preliminary preparations. "The central government hopes that the SAR will be prosperous and stable. If there are no specific indicators, how can this supervision power be implemented?"
Refers to the housing problem in the past few years, the more acute governance ability "self-justified"
The housing problem was the "top priority" of Liang Zhenying's administration at the time. Zhang Zhigang did not directly answer the performance of the current government. However, for example, the housing problem has become more acute in the past few years and is so serious that the Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng, who is in charge of Hong Kong and Macao affairs, also speaks. It shows that it must be resolved; Hong Kong's medical system is on the verge of a blast, and as the population ages, it will only get worse; the upward mobility of young people has stagnated, and the number of jobs with better salaries has been significantly reduced; the development of innovation and technology is seriously lagging, and the Lok Ma Chau Loop is still today "A piece of bad land" is difficult to match the overall situation of the country's development. These problems have been discussed for many years, but there has been no improvement, and it is now getting worse.
When it comes to fighting the epidemic, Zhang Zhigang seems even more dissatisfied: "You can't say "We are doing better than the United States", then forget it? Compared to the mainland and Macau, it is far inferior. Even if you don't compare with others, treat yourself well. Already? Someone has said that the amount of testing is too little; there are so many quarantine loopholes, and they continue to appear after so many months. This is the ability of governance, and I can only say that: have your own justice!"
Zhang Zhigang pointed out that the Hong Kong government has many loopholes in its quarantine work, and everyone has "justified their own opinions" on their governance capabilities.
(Profile picture)
Those in power must prove that they "will not become waste"
Zhang Zhigang specifically pointed out a background: the biggest problem of Hong Kong’s governance in the past was pan-politicization. The main axis of political contradictions in it was simply the dual opposition between "patriotism" and "anti-communism": the opposition claimed to be "democrats." But the secret agenda is anti-communism and the intention to "team up" Beijing. The central government used to "open only one eye and close one eye", but after 2019, the behavior completely crossed the red line, so it launched the "National Security Law" and reformed the electoral system.
He pointed out that under the new political situation, the political agenda has been reshuffled, and it is no longer possible for people who harm national interests to participate in the system. Those who enter the gate are patriots. The central security factor is very high and there is no need to worry about "things."
Under this situation, Zhang Zhigang believes that the patriotic camp, whether it is the establishment or the ruling party, has to face a problem: how to ensure that they will not become "loyal waste" and can no longer rely solely on "political loyalty" and a few sentences. Patriotic slogans are enough, and governance capabilities must be strengthened to solve the actual livelihood problems of Hong Kong.
If you want to discuss the conditions for being the chief executive, why do you have to have as many as four?
The most important thing is ability, ability, ability, ability.
Look, the epidemic is not well controlled. It is impossible to visit the elderly in a nursing home, or to get married and drink alcohol.
Let's talk about it, right?
Can these problems be solved better?
Zhang Zhigang
Zhang Zhigang said that he is not sure whether the central government has the idea of setting systematized targets, but since the chief executive has to report to the central government every year, some central officials have already declared some issues. I believe that the general government has "some ideas" about the administration of the SAR government.
Liang Zhenying re-elects chief executive? Zhang Zhigang: There is no reason to say "downgrade"
After the National Security Law was enacted, Lam Cheng replied that he was "good fight". The political circle is concerned about whether Lam will fight for re-election. Zhang Zhigang said that there are still nine months before the chief executive election, and it is inconvenient to comment on the candidate too early, but he believes that there will be competition in the next chief executive election. This is definitely a good thing, saying that the opposition can no longer "steal chickens." "With the National Security Law and the electoral system arrangements, security has been greatly improved, why not let people compete? If you say that the next Chief Executive, (CPPCC Standing Committee) He Zhuguo has already If you raise your hands and are interested in choosing, at least you are a pair? There are others who are eager to choose."
During the interview in recent months, Liang Zhenying did not rule out the possibility of re-election for the chief executive, only saying that "every effort will be made to serve Hong Kong and the country." As a loyal "Liang fan", will Zhang Zhigang support Liang Zhenying's comeback?
Zhang Zhigang said that it is unknown what Liang Zhenying's wishes are, but he refutes the saying that Liang Zhenying's election as the vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was "degraded."
He pointed out that national leaders concurrently serve as the top leaders of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government, or other ministries and commissions. Domestic examples abound: the current National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng is the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; For example, Wang Yi, the current foreign minister; Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, is the vice chairman of the CPPCC; Liang Zhenying also served as the vice chairman of the CPPCC for 4 months before leaving the post of chief executive in 2017. "(The first Premier of the State Council) Zhou Enlai also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a period of time. Time, has anyone ever said that he was "degraded"?"
Zhang Zhigang believes that the so-called "degradation" is completely unreasonable, and he has insufficient understanding of the current Chinese political system.
He even pointed out that if the chief executive concurrently serves as the vice chairman of the CPPCC, it may be an "advantage" for Hong Kong, because he can go directly to the central government and win a lot for Hong Kong.
In terms of stepping back ten thousand steps, Zhang Zhigang pointed out that assuming that the vice chairman of the CPPCC really cannot be the chief executive, or the workload is difficult to balance, "I believe Liang Sheng will not hesitate to not be the vice chairman of the CPPCC but only the chief executive. What is the problem? ?"
Zhang Zhigang.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Proud to be a "Liang Fan" and support CY to serve Hong Kong
Zhang Zhigang pointed out that in terms of ability and commitment to Hong Kong, Leung Zhenying is completely fine, so he would not mind being called a "Liang Fan" or even "Proud of being a Liang Fan."
He pointed out that the guild’s specific work cannot be disclosed too much, but Liang Zhenying, who he contacted, attaches great importance to people’s livelihood policies, especially land: "To rezone a piece of land, he will personally call those people (stakeholders) and continue to persuade them not to object. . His commitment and investment in the policy are completely visible."
He also pointed out that if someone thinks that there are other candidates that are more capable and more suitable, rational discussion is welcome.
He emphasized that he had not discussed the issue of candidacy with Liang Zhenying and did not know the other party's wishes. He just explained his understanding of Liang Zhenying. "In short, if he is willing to serve the country and Hong Kong in any position, I will support him in any position. "
During Liang Zhenying's tenure as Chief Executive, Zhang Zhigang (fourth from right) served as a member of the Executive Council.
(Information Picture/Information Services Department)
Refers to Liang Zhenying to listen to opinions
During Liang Zhenying's tenure as chief executive, he was often criticized for "tearing society", but Hong Kong under Carrie Lam's administration has brought about unprecedented tearing in Hong Kong. As a "Liang fan", did you think that society was "wrong" Liang Zhenying?
Zhang Zhigang pointed out that what is meant by "tearing" requires an objective discussion. A society must have different opinions, but the most important thing as a leader is to explain to people with different opinions the reasons for accepting or not accepting them.
He recalled that Liang Zhenying’s working style was: “If he doesn’t say anything after listening to the opinions, it means that he is seriously considering it; if it must be possible or not, he will answer on the spot and explain the reasons.” Zhang Zhigang believes that knowing or not Knowing Liang Zhenying himself will make a big difference in his perception. At least as far as he knows, Liang Zhenying is relatively willing to listen to opinions.
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