Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the passage of the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 by the Legislative Council today, noting that it is an important milestone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s work on improving district governance.

Mr Lee pointed out that since 2020, a lot of the current-term District Council (DC) members acted against the functions of DCs, disrupted the conduct of meetings and unscrupulously took actions that were not in line with the functions of DCs as district advisory organisations.

Against this backdrop, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced on May 2 the proposals on improving district governance to reform the DCs such that they could be restored to the positioning under Article 97 of the Basic Law. The Government introduced the bill to LegCo on May 31.

Mr Lee said: “I am very pleased that LegCo has efficiently completed the scrutiny of and passed the bill within two months.

“LegCo has scrutinised the bill meticulously, fully demonstrating the efficiency and professionalism of the LegCo formed under the improved electoral system as well as the common goal of the executive and the legislature to build a better Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is now in the new phase of advancing from stability to prosperity.”

He added that this legislative exercise implements the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” at the district governance level to ensure that the DCs are firmly in the hands of patriots, and will strictly adhere to the positioning under the Basic Law to carry out advisory and services functions, make due contributions to the Government's district governance work and effectively respond to the expectations of the public.

The District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 will be gazetted and come into effect on July 10.

The Electoral Affairs Commission is now stepping up preparations for the District Council Ordinary Election. The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) is formulating guidelines for the operation of DCs and the performance monitoring mechanism for DC members.

The HYAB will adhere to the principle of meritocracy when recommending to the Chief Executive suitable candidates for appointment as DC members who should be capable, experienced, with relevant skill sets suited to the needs of the districts, and patriotic.

The Government strives to bring to the city, on January 1 next year as scheduled, DCs that would start a new chapter together for Hong Kong to truly benefit the public.

Meanwhile, the Government will also strengthen the district governance structure, promote co-ordination and co-operation in district work, and formulate and direct appropriate responses for the benefit of the general public. The Steering Committee on District Governance chaired by the Chief Secretary will hold its first meeting this month.