Perhaps nobody cares about the first legislative election under the "perfect electoral system." The Liberal Party, which was founded 28 years ago, is the first unmanned direct election.
It is the Liberal Party's insistence on moving towards direct elections that the outside world is not taking it seriously and forgotten.
Zhong Guobin was the party chairman from 2014 to 2016. The four previous terms--Li Pengfei, Tian Beijun, Miriam Liu and Selina Zhou, have all personally selected the leaders to accept the baptism of direct elections.
Zhong Guobin, who has always been elected by functional constituencies, was the first person to break the convention. Regarding the Liberal Party’s direct election, he said
indifferently
: "The world has changed!"
Zhong Guobin explained that under the new election system, directly elected elements were cut in half. The remaining 20 seats are limited in space; another imaginary saying is that "it is a tie-in point, and there is no experience to follow."
In a political situation dominated by hawks and an institutional counterattack, Zhong Guobin's answer has always followed ordinary human logic, without political modification, and is also a rare institutional voice that directly advises on the current situation.
The government has recently been arguing with Europe, the United States, and even foreign media over the political situation and elections. Zhong Guobin is about to step down and send a message to the Hong Kong government to make good use of the advantages of the "two systems" and not to engage in confrontation with the world.
He also pointed out that it is difficult to fill the tide of immigrants with "new Hong Kongers". The immigrants of a large number of professionals will be fatal to Hong Kong. The government must think deeply about how to make Hong Kong people feel comfortable and settled.
Interview with Zhong Guobin (Part 2)
Everyone knows the art of compromise in the Department of Politics, but no one can do it!
Liberal Party leader Zhong Guobin
After the failure to legislate Article 23 of the Basic Law in 2003, the Liberal Party has always been regarded as a "bad boy of the establishment." After Tian Beijun faded out, Zhong Guobin was regarded as an enlightened establishment that dared to speak out. In the new parliament, this voice will also disappear, but He said that it was "misleading", "Bao is called a bad boy, and you are not obedient? No one can define me!" Zhong Guobin recounted that he was a "good boy," and then asked, "All the government officials are good? Every day, people are making trouble, and if you do so much, people will criticize them. Don't criticize them. Call the supervisory government!"
Politics must speak up for the people and explain to the society
Tian Beijun is an iconic figure of the "bad boy". He has been in charge of the Liberal Party for 18 years. He has set a line for the party to "not protect the king" and speak for the people of Hong Kong at critical moments.
It is not difficult to see this belief in Zhong Guobin. He said that speaking for the people is something that politicians and political parties must do. He jokingly said that his style reflects the "Liberal" element of the party's name "Liberal Party."
However, among the current four Liberal Party MPs, it seems that only Zhong Guobin is more proactive in making voices other than the main theme on different issues.
He explained that as the party leader, "I will be pushed out if there is something. Naturally, he does not need to play this role and can do the work of returning to his own industry." However, if he leaves, will anyone take over this? route?
Zhong Guobin pointed out that party members have different styles and hope that someone will take up this role. I believe that the party caucus will discuss before New Year's Day, and the new party chairman and party leader will also be announced.
All the establishments in the Yijia Council, I believe the pressure is greater than before.
In the past, the pan-people were opposed to it, and all the establishments supported it, so it was easy to deal with.
There is no opposition, but the parliament cannot be without opposition. This opposition needs to be brought out. I don’t believe that everyone is daring enough to be yes man, because in addition to explaining to the citizens who elected them, it is normal to explain to the society. .
Liberal Party leader Zhong Guobin
Support the government after opposing the march: Big bosses, many citizens take to the streets
In 2003, the government introduced 23 pieces of legislation. The then chairman Tian Beijun resigned as a member of the guild. This forced the government to abandon the legislation at a critical moment, which became a watershed for the development of the Liberal Party.
The Legislative Council was changed the following year. Although the Liberal Party historically took down two directly elected seats, it has since gone downhill. The former party members who withdrew have formed or joined other parties, including the Pakatan Harapan and New Democrats. The two parties have a total of 12 seats this term.
The Liberal Party, the largest party in the establishment, has only taken 4 seats in this election, making it the smallest traditional establishment party.
The dissociation between the people's sentiments and the government has caused the Liberal Party to be unkind on both sides, and the differences within the party have attracted much attention.
Before the anti-amendment law broke out the previous year, Zhong Guobin repeatedly expressed his worries about the amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. By June 9th, millions of people took to the streets, and the Liberal Party issued a late statement to support the government.
Later, Tian Beijun and other four honorary chairmen jointly signed and demanded the resignation of party member Zhang Yuren as a member of the guild. He criticized the statement for antagonizing the party and the public, and kicked Zhong Guobin against the statement that day.
Zhong Guobin admitted in an interview that he expressed reservations during internal discussions, "Big brother, many people take to the streets, and they are about to express their opinions. I think I will be the first to make a decision. This is what I feel at the time." It is normal to explain that there are differences in the party, "But then Tian Shao came out and went out of the street, and in the end I always went with the brigade."
+1
If you want to make a decision in a short time, you have to make a decision and talk to the brigade.
Sometimes you just want to be a human being, and you want to spend more time preparing for thinking, but it is not allowed at the time. You have to make a decision right away, even if you may not think it is appropriate.
Zhong Guobin made a statement to support the amendment after the parade
I believe Zhang Yuren will express his worries about the amendment
Contradictions surfaced, but Zhong Guobin said that he supported Zhang Yuren staying in the guild at that time, "I can only observe a single regulation, every change will pass, and the family will prove it." He said that if the government continues to operate, leaving will lose the ability to change decisions. Chance.
Looking back on the "Fleeing Offenders Ordinance", does Zhang Yuren play a role?
Zhong Guobin said that in addition to fugitives, the business sector has the greatest impact. The industry he represents has business or even set up factories in the Mainland. "I absolutely know how serious the impact is, so I have the greatest response, the fastest, and the most reserved. "He once expressed to Zhang Yuren that political time should be slowed down, "I know what I am worried about doing business in the Mainland. I believe he must have reflected. After that, the government will accept it or not and how it will be kept confidential. System, I don’t know at all.”
However, less than a year later, in March last year, Zhong Guobin joined the "League of Hope" initiated by Tian Beijun, a political organization advertised as a centrist. Members include Selina Zhou, Miriam Liu, and former Financial Secretary Zeng Junhua.
Whether there is a growing disagreement with the Liberal Party, Zhong Guobin laughed and said that there are rules for joining any group. He also pointed out that the "League of Hope" originally intended to provide the citizens with moderate candidates in the election. "The polarization was so important at the time. All of them are the best, but once the election comes, the barriers are clear and they cannot be turned into votes."
Zhong Guobin said that he would no longer serve as a member. "Some things were not suitable in the past, or the rules were not allowed, and the family can be free at first. However, if there is something to do, there is no clue." He said that he will only be an ordinary party member in the future, but believes that the Liberal Party has value. , Represents a part of the voters, "otherwise, a political party will have to do it."
Zhong Guobin accepted an exclusive interview with "Hong Kong 01".
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Lin Zheng is re-elected?
Look at the most practical polls
After losing his seat, Zhong Guobin lost his status as an election committee member. Three months later, the chief executive election will be just like ordinary citizens. "Peel the peanuts and watch the results on TV. It doesn't matter to me." Direct evaluation, "Personal opinions are not important. You can look at the polls in the most practical way. Which one is the answer from the society. I respect the views of the society!"
The aftermath of the anti-amendment legislation was over. The central government led to "turn the chaos out anyway." Zhong Guobin pointed out that Hong Kong should make good use of the advantages of the "two systems" and "give full play to its position as an international financial city. There is any confrontation with the international community." He who has stated that he supports independent investigations, believes that he will never have the opportunity to do it again. "It has passed. Lower it."
Zhong Guobin is most concerned about the wave of immigration, because those who leave are the core professionals, and if things go away, Hong Kong will have a very serious development dilemma. The problem is not simply solved by importing new forces, but there will be adaptation and integration problems. "It's not a matter of quantity, it's a matter of quality, or it's not a simple matter. If you go for 100, you pack 200!"
"Retention can be simple, or it can be difficult. It's the same as "people's mind"." Zhong Guobin continued: "It's a bit of peace of mind and comfort, and long-term staying in Hong Kong as a permanent home, the SAR government should do a good job. deal with."
Hong Kong has no resources, and Hong Kong depends on talents.
Don't talk about leaving because of why, they have a bleat attitude, and only talk about brain drain, which is absolutely detrimental to Hong Kong.
Especially concentrated in 3, 40 years old, middle class, professional people, like doctors, nurses, accountants, can you fill it up?
It’s not the same as in the 1990s. They are not businessmen, but professionals. Hong Kong needs them to develop. It doesn’t matter if you have money, you have to add it. If you have money, someone will do it.
Liberal Party leader Zhong Guobin
Interview ︱ Defeated by the non-powerful enemy of the electoral system Zhong Guobin: If you should talk about it, he won cross-campaign approval after losing the election. Zhong Guobin fell to the horse and blamed the new electoral system. The Liberal Party issued a statement today: Laying a solid foundation for high-quality democracy. Legislative Council elections | : Don’t you think I have no support from the central government. Interview | Striving for re-election in the textile and garment industry Zhong Guobin is confident in the election: Advocating development is not empty talk Interview ︱ Confronting the Liberal Party Zhong Guobin and Chen Zuheng: The textile and garment industry needs new thinking to promote development
