Legco election 'fair and represents all'

Top Beijing official Xia Baolong has called on Hongkongers to vote in the upcoming Legislative Council election, saying polling will be fair and represent all classes, sectors and political camps.

Speaking yesterday in a prerecorded speech to mark the publication of a chronicle of Hong Kong's involvement in China's reform and opening, Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the revamped legislative election on December 19 blocked moves for independence and anti-China forces from making their influence felt in running Hong Kong.

The new electoral system also allows full implementation of one country, two systems and unifies all sectors regardless of people's social class, ethnicity, ideologies and religious beliefs, according to Xia.

It has balanced the interests of different stakeholders in society and is beneficial to developing democracy and good governance, he added, as the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle ensures broad participation by all politicians.

The revamped legislative process is also better than previous ones in respect of it being more representative, politically inclusive, evenly balanced and competitive.

First, Xia said, the new system has attracted more people to run in the election. "No matter if they're from the business sector, academic sector, professionals, workers and even mainlanders that have moved to Hong Kong and 'foreigners' who are Chinese nationals.

"We're also seeing veteran politicians as well as motivated youngsters - showing broad representativeness with the unprecedented diversity among the list of candidates."

That referred to 153 candidates running for 90 legislative seats.

Second, candidates from backgrounds across the political spectrum have been given the green light to run.

Third, the three Legislative Council constituencies - the 40-seat Election Committee, the 30-seat functional and the 20-seat geographic - ensures a balanced political participation, so members can safeguard the interests of the sectors and districts they represent.

Fourth, the new system gives rise to a competitive election, with all 90 seats contested, which Xia said has never happened before. That would make the election fairer and more rational.

Candidates will also shift their focus to livelihood issues and the SAR's development as well as showcasing their capabilities and qualities to appeal to voters.

Xia said for a long time Hong Kong was "blindly pursuing democracy in a western style," which led to separation, conflict and "black-clad violence." So Hongkongers have not experienced real democracy. But the new electoral system has made it a healthy competition.

He called for citizens to exercise their civil rights and vote in the election to advance democracy.

"For those who uphold the one country, two systems and hope Hong Kong becomes better and better, they will execute their democratic rights in accordance with the law to cast their sacred ballot and choose a lawmaker to represent them," Xia said.

"Voting is not only casting a ballot for their own good but a ballot to show their resolute confidence toward the one country, two systems, their hope towards a thriving and prosperous country and their wish for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

In a statement after the speech, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor thanked Xia for expounding on the four characteristics and said people who love Hong Kong do not want to see the recurrence of "black-clad violence." She said the Legislative Council experienced chaos over the past few years because authorities allowed non-patriots into the picture.

But under the new "patriots-only" principle authorities are looking forward to working with legislators in the term that begins next month.

Also in support of Xia's message, the biggest pro-establishment party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, urged people to vote on December 19 to create a better future for the SAR.

And Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political commentator and lecturer in government and public administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said it was rare for an official from the State Council to deliver an election-related speech just two weeks ahead of polling.

"This shows the central government attaches a great importance to the election, including the voter turnout," Choy said. "I believe Xia is hoping to rebut overseas criticisms against the election."

As to Xia's remarks that the new system caters to all those from different political backgrounds, Choy said people will make their own judgments after seeing the election results.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Xia is refuting "smears" from the United States.

Lau said "Chinese style democracy" is the best fit while "western style democracy" brings disasters to the nation.

"The western style of democracy implemented in Hong Kong has brought confrontation and instability, and after improving the electoral system the system will be more beneficial to the development of one country, two systems," he said.