The decision to leave the district council has attracted much attention. Mak Meijuan, the newly-appointed Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs, said in an interview with Hong Kong 01 that it is still in the stage of review and research, and no final decision has been made.
She mentioned that many opinions proposed to restore the appointment system, so that different people have the opportunity to participate in regional organizations, and the Government has not shown any preference.
As for whether pro-democracy activists can enter the gate to run for election, Mak Meijuan pointed out that it depends on whether their claims conform to the Basic Law, and that those who will participate in regional organizations in the future must consciously respect the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth, Mak Mei-juan.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
We hope that people from different walks of life can participate in more than just look at the regional experience
After the resignation of district councilors and the DQ incident last year, there are currently only about 150 district councillors out of 452 elected seats, and some district councils have only a few remaining members, and their operations are almost paralyzed.
The district council will be re-elected at the end of next year. It is rumored that the government will reduce the number of elected members and appoint district committee members to join. Mak Meijuan said in the interview that there is no final decision, but believes that regional organizations are subject to the government's consultation on district affairs. There is a wide range of representation...I hope that people from different sectors of the society will have the opportunity to participate. For example, three months after graduating from university (in 1993), I was already an appointed district councillor."
Mak Meijuan said that district councillors are produced in different ways, which is making it possible for some people with "ability but no previous experience" to participate. ), what role can it play?”
She said the government would roll out the plan as soon as possible, but there was no timetable.
On July 1, 2022, Xi Jinping took the oath of the new government officials.
(Joint interview/Associated Press)
Democrats in the gate?
Mai: Not considering allowing or excluding certain people from participating
As for whether the new system will cover people from different political spectrums, Mak Meijuan pointed out that the district council is a non-regime regional organization, no matter how it is formed, it must be in accordance with the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong. , of course we won't allow it, but if he only holds different political views and has a different view of the government, of course that's not the case." Asked whether the pan-democrats can enter the election, she stressed that it depends on the opinions of the relevant parties. Comply with the Basic Law.
President Xi Jinping mentioned in his July 1st speech that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Hong Kong people must consciously respect and maintain the country's fundamental system. That is, as the ruling party of the Chinese Communist Party, “Anyone who participates in a non-regime regional organization in the future, or any citizen, must consciously respect the existing system of the country. "
The Democratic Party has recently been criticized by some members of the establishment for being "strongly anti-Communist."
Mai Meijuan said that the establishment of the new system is not considering allowing or excluding certain people from participating, and reiterated that we must act in accordance with the law.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may establish non-regime regional organizations to receive consultations from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on regional management and other affairs, or to be responsible for providing cultural, recreational, environmental sanitation and other services.
Article 97 of the Basic Law
The Civil Affairs Department co-ordinates the "Caring Team" to formulate a list of resource reserves and mobilization
Li Jiachao proposed to set up a "18 District Service and Care Team" during his election campaign. Mak Meijuan said that the government alone cannot respond to the needs of the public in the fifth wave of the epidemic. He believes that it is necessary to systematically gather forces from all parties. , the establishment of a "care team" will help mobilize local forces to support citizens.
She pointed out that the "Caring Team" is not an ordinary volunteer organization, but is co-ordinated by the Civil Affairs Department, and must formulate practice drills, resource reserves, mobilization lists, etc. In addition to responding to emergencies, the "Caring Team" also provides regular services on weekdays, such as community During the visit, the Chief Executive will explain the details in the "Policy Address" in October.
As for the youth policy, Mak Meijuan said that the first edition of the "Blueprint for Youth Development" will be launched at the end of this year, covering 7 areas, including cultivating a national concept and a sense of ownership, responding to issues such as employment and property ownership, and will continue to update the content of the blueprint in the future.
She said that she would build a platform for young people to increase the opportunities to participate in consulting organizations, and described her work as a long process. Make young people better understand the government.
During Li Jiachao's campaign, he went to the West Kowloon Cultural District to talk to young people. When he entered the venue, a girl asked Li Jiachao if he was the future chief executive.
(file picture)
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