The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, today (April 7) hosted a total of six briefing sessions to brief and exchange views with the construction and transport sectors as well as members of related professional institutions on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
Participants included representatives from the construction sector, the engineering sector, the surveying and town planning sector, the architectural and landscape profession, the real estate sector and the transport sector. At the meeting, Mr Wong and Mr Chan spoke on the background, objectives and the amendment details of the improvements to the electoral system, and exchanged views with participants. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, also attended the meetings with the engineering sector and the real estate sector, during which she addressed the questions raised by the participants.
Mr Wong reiterated the importance, necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, thereby establishing a political structure that upholds the "one country, two systems" principle, reflects the actual situation of Hong Kong and ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong". In so doing, the excessive politicisation and internal rifts that have torn the society apart can be effectively mitigated, restoring order from chaos and enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR. The HKSAR will then be able to focus on enhancing economic development and improving people's livelihood, including addressing the housing and land supply matters, and ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of the city.
Mr Chan also said that by improving the electoral system and ensuring the comprehensive implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong", the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and the fundamental political ethics of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" can be effectively safeguarded, various deep-seated problems can be effectively resolved, thereby ending political strife and social rifts. Hong Kong would then be able to focus on people's livelihood, economy and development, and to ensure the continued success of the "one country, two systems" and the long-term stability of the city by leveraging its unique advantages and the staunch support of the Central Authorities.
Mr Wong and Mr Chan will continue to meet with members of the trade and brief them on the relevant amendments, enabling stakeholders to have a better understanding of the matter and render their support to related work of the Government.
Ends/Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:50
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