DAB's linking role being strengthened

Hong Kong's biggest Beijing-backing party is setting up offices for delegates to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to serve as communications bridges between Hongkongers and Beijing and to help local people resolve any issues related to the mainland.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, which has seven NPC delegates and nine CPPCC members, said Hongkongers with mainland-related problems can report problems to DAB branches in any of the 18 districts across the SAR and also seek help from the party through its hotline, email and website.

Chairwoman Starry Lee Wai-king said she hopes to take various ideas to the country's "Two Sessions" - the annual plenary meetings of the NPC and the CPPCC. The sessions are being held in Beijing next month.

There are various issues that could arise, she said. "Basically, I would say property-related matters, and some issues are related to immigration policies. And previously quarantine measures were common questions put forward.

"We will collect [questions] and try to answer them as much as we can. And we will, of course, take it as one of the very important references when we make recommendations to the central government during the Two Sessions."

With the border between Hong Kong and the mainland being fully reopened, Lee believes there will be more legal inquiries raised, and so the office will be beefing up its legal consultative service.

Lee also said the office will set up an advisory panel, and outgoing NPC standing committee delegate Tam Yiu-chung has agreed to join it.

Lee was also asked if she aimed to succeed Tam on the NPC committee.

"I have nothing new to share with you," she responded, but Lee added she would do her best whatever her role.

The DAB said the coordinating office aims to provide comments and advice to the country though the SAR's delegates to the NPC and CPPCC.

It will follow up too on the progress of their proposals after the two sessions.

The office will also explain the nation's policies and work as well as collecting opinions and holding regular exchanges.

As for it providing opinions and advice to the central government, most of the matters will of course be topics that relate directly to Hong Kong.