The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (April 9) met with Hong Kong members of national organisations at a briefing session to continue to explain the improvements to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s electoral system. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, also attended and addressed the questions raised by participants.

     Mr Cheung stressed that the amendment of Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress would improve the electoral system, ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguarding the overall interests of society. National sovereignty, security and development interests would be fully protected. The HKSAR's constitutional order established according to the Constitution and the Basic Law would be fully safeguarded. It will also ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

     Mr Cheung reiterated that the Election Committee (EC) is the core element of the improvements to the electoral system. The membership of the EC is being enlarged to 1 500 in five sectors, including the new fifth sector that comprises the Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress and Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as Ex-officio Members, as well as some EC members returned through election among Hong Kong members of the relevant national organisations. All in all, the enlarged EC will cover more representatives from different sectors and all walks of life, better representing the overall and fundamental interests of society.

     He encouraged participants to brief people in different sectors of the community on the improvements to the electoral system to deepen their understanding of the new electoral system as well as its necessity and urgency.

Ends/Friday, April 9, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:08

NNNN