Investor Presentaiton

36 10 Is improving the electoral system tailor-made for the pro-establishment camp with the aim to exclude the opposition camp from the LegCo? No. Patriotism is not the monopoly of any specific groups. Whoever meets the requirements and criteria of patriots, irrespective of whether they are pro-establishment or opposition, or whether they are conservatives or democrats, can participate in elections in accordance with the law and serve the Hong Kong public by entering into the governance structure of HKSAR. Officials of the Central Authorities have reiterated that "patriots administering Hong Kong" does not aim to promote homogeneity in the politics of Hong Kong. Not all members of the opposition camp should be regarded as anti-China and destabilising forces. There can be patriots in the pan-democratic camp who can still stand for election and be elected in accordance with the law. As a matter of fact, the Central Authorities have all along been very tolerant and considerate of the situation in Hong Kong and the stance of some Hong Kong people. They have never demanded people to "speak with one voice". President Xi Jinping said, at the meeting celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and the Inaugural Ceremony of the Fifth-term Government of the HKSAR, that "Hong Kong is a plural society. So it comes as no surprise that there are different views and even major differences on some specific issues. However, making everything political or deliberately creating differences and provoking confrontation will not resolve the problems. On the contrary, it can only severely hinder Hong Kong's economic and social development". President Xi clearly stated that "on the part of the Central Government, we are ready to talk to anyone who loves the Country, loves Hong Kong and genuinely supports the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, no matter what political views or position he or she may hold". 11 One of the objectives of improving the electoral system is to enhance the efficacy of the HKSAR Government's governance. Does it mean that the LegCo will become a rubber stamp in future? No. The LegCo has the checks and balances function and it is monitored by the public. As long as legislators love the Country and Hong Kong, safeguard the national sovereignty, security and development interest, do not impair Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, they are allowed to be critical of the Government and fulfil their constitutional function and achieve good governance for the public good. In fact, before the LegCo had deteriorated to become so much embroiled with antagonistic politics, the executive authorities were always willing and able to exchange views and cooperate with legislators who had different political stances, such that policies formulated were more in line with public aspirations. Improving the electoral system would actually help the Leg Co restore its function as a platform for rational interaction between the executive authorities and the legislature which will enhance efficacy of governance. With an improved LegCo, the number of legislators will increase from 70 to 90. In terms of composition, legislators returned by Election Committee elections, functional constituencies elections and geographical constituencies elections will make the LegCo wider in coverage, more balanced, more diverse in views and more representative. 37

View entire presentation