Elsie Leung says electoral reforms do not equal a leap backwards for Hong Kong's democracy
Former deputy director of the Basic Law Committee and former justice secretary, Elsie Leung Oi-sie, said Hongkongers are to blame for not doing political reforms well in the past 20 years.
Speaking on radio, Leung said the electoral changes proposed by the Central government do not equal a great leap backward for Hong Kong's democracy, and now is the time to "get back on track." She said Beijing has always wanted Hong Kong's democracy to move forward, thus included universal suffrage when drafting the Basic Law.
She emphasized that the electoral reforms were not targeted at the pan-democratic camp, but those who undermine the interests of the central government and the SAR.
Leung added the electoral reforms did not violate the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, as the Basic Law stipulated that Hong Kong's political reform needed to be progressively developed according to the actual situation.
She believed that the Central government's proposal of “patriots ruling Hong Kong" was based on the consideration of Hong Kong's current situation, given the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement and increasing complexity of the international environment.
Some of the proposed changes include adjusting the size, composition, and formation of Hong Kong’s election committee, which selects the chief executive. The committee's function would also be expanded to electing and nominating candidates for the Legislative Council.
Leung said CPPCC members may be included in the reformed election committee, as the representatives of nation-wide organizations can help ensure the principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong."
She emphasized that the electoral reforms were not targeted at the pan-democratic camp, but those who undermine the interests of the central government and the SAR.
Leung added the electoral reforms did not violate the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, as the Basic Law stipulated that Hong Kong's political reform needed to be progressively developed according to the actual situation.
She believed that the Central government's proposal of “patriots ruling Hong Kong" was based on the consideration of Hong Kong's current situation, given the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement and increasing complexity of the international environment.
Some of the proposed changes include adjusting the size, composition, and formation of Hong Kong’s election committee, which selects the chief executive. The committee's function would also be expanded to electing and nominating candidates for the Legislative Council.
Leung said CPPCC members may be included in the reformed election committee, as the representatives of nation-wide organizations can help ensure the principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong."