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A senior Beijing official says he is "all ears" to suggestions on Hong Kong's electoral changes - so long as they are based on a decision made by China' s top legislature last week.
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Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office deputy director Zhang Xiaoming arrived yesterday purportedly to gauge opinions on the so-called National People's Congress "311" decision from over 1,000 people in forums and meetings until tomorrow.
On Thursday, March 11, the NPC passed a proposal to introduce a qualification review committee to vet election candidates, increase the number of seats in the Legislative Council to 90 from 70 and the Election Committee to 1,500 from 1,200.
Aside from picking the chief executive, the Election Committee will also choose a number of lawmakers.
Sixty sessions are being held over three days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah and leaders of pro-establishment groups attended yesterday's forums.
Speaking before a group of top government officials and party leaders, Zhang said any discussion should be aimed at finalizing details of the "311'' decision. He reminded attendees not to go off topic.
"Some media reports in Hong Kong wrote that I am here to explain the NPC's decision, but this is not the main purpose. The main purpose is to bring our ears here to listen to people's views and if necessary we can make some explanations," he said.
"But our discussion has a prerequisite and foundation. The very crucial foundation is what we can call the NPC's 311 decision for now."
Zhang said the decision "has already clearly stated that we will improve Hong Kong's electoral system, this is the foundation we need to insist on. We are discussing how to plan in detail and improve the SAR's electoral system on this foundation. We are not going to let our imaginations run wild - or else we won't be focused."
Zhang Yong, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said he is happy to hear opinions from various sectors and hopes everyone will accept the amended law.
Luo Huining, director of the liaison office, said the Election Committee would be given power to elect a large proportion of lawmakers as it is "broadly representative."
This would allow the Legco to better represent the overall interests of society, and the electorate of the chief executive and legislature, Luo said. He added: "Then there will be common ground, which can help the relationship between the executive and legislature, as well as maintain the executive-led system. It can also effectively prevent the Legco from being manipulated by independence and radical session forces."
New People's Party chair Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said some forum attendees said they hoped that "neutral professionals" can sit on the candidate-qualification review committee.
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions president Stanley Ng Chau-pei said Election Committee members should elect 50 lawmakers, while geographical and functional constituencies will each have 20 seats.
He said there should be more seats for the labor sector in Legco as it only has three now, while the business sector has 14.
Executive councillor Ronny Tong Ka-wah said it would be unfair to cancel all 117 seats for district councillors in the Election Committee as district councils represent public opinions.
He suggested a number of seats should be reserved for district councillors. For example, he added, each district could have two representatives - one from the majority camp in the council and another from the minority camp.
Tong said the Election Committee and the geographical and functional constituencies should each elect 30 lawmakers so it would not appear that a certain group of lawmakers is more important.
