CE expects more rational LegCo

December 7, 2021

Chief Executive Carrie Lam：
I fully endorse and agree with the remarks of (Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Director) Xia Baolong. 

Now with the Legislative Council (General) Election in process, after the nomination period, we could all see the 153 candidates who have come forward to contest the 90 seats.

So it is very timely for Mr Xia to relate (to) what he said previously, for example, we are only looking for people who are patriotic, we would not screen out people with different political backgrounds, we will respect diversity and the improved electoral system will return more council members from a broad range of backgrounds. 

The purpose of democracy or any political system is to improve the livelihood of the people. 

So I am anticipating that after the general election, when the seventh council returns on January 1 next year, it will be a council which is more rational, which is more prepared to work with the executive in order to further the interests of Hong Kong. 

A particular area which (had) previously been obstructed and disrupted (was) our relationship with the central government and also our aspirations to integrate more into the national development. 

I am sure now that we have a council comprising "patriots administering Hong Kong", all these endeavours to work more closely with the Mainland authorities to render ourselves contributing to the national development will get more support.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said that a more rational and co-operative Legislative Council is anticipated after the general election on December 19, which can further the interests of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Director Xia Baolong yesterday expounded on the four characteristics of the LegCo elections following the improvement of the city's electoral system, which are broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam said she fully endorsed and agreed with Mr Xia's remarks which brought out the significance of the improved electoral system.

"Now with the LegCo General Election in process, after the nomination period, we could all see the 153 candidates who have come forward to contest the 90 seats.

"So it is very timely for Mr Xia to relate to what he said previously, for example, we are only looking for people who are patriotic, we would not screen out people with different political backgrounds, we will respect diversity and the improved electoral system will return more council members from a broad range of backgrounds."

The chief executive also shared her expectations on the new-term LegCo.

"The purpose of democracy or any political system is to improve the livelihood of the people.

"So I am anticipating that after the general election, when the seventh council returns on January 1 next year, it will be a council which is more rational, which is more prepared to work with the executive in order to further the interests of Hong Kong.

"A particular area which had previously been obstructed and disrupted was our relationship with the central government and also our aspirations to integrate more into the national development.

"I am sure now that we have a council comprising 'patriots administering Hong Kong', all these endeavours to work more closely with the Mainland authorities to render ourselves contributing to the national development will get more support."

Mrs Lam added the Government will ensure that the election will be conducted in a fair and open manner.