Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said the newly-passed decision on improving the electoral system of the city is not a setback for Hong Kong's work on democracy.
Talking to reporters at a press conference in HKSAR after the decision's approval, Lam said the announcement fixed loopholes in the existing electoral system, which had been exploited by some lawmakers.
Lam noted any democratic system should not have endangered national security, any actions under Hong Kong's electoral system that undermine national security should be rectified.
"I firmly believe that, after the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' is fully implemented and loopholes of the existing electoral system are plugged, we will be able to resolve the problem of the LegCo making everything political in recent years and effectively deal with the reckless moves or internal rift that have torn Hong Kong apart," Lam stressed.
The decision was adopted by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, on Thursday afternoon as it concluded its annual session, which started on March 5.
Lam earlier issued a statement and voiced strong support for the decision.
Back to the right track
Lam noted the Central Authorities takes the initiative from the national level to improve the system, aiming to ensure that Hong Kong can stay true to the original aspiration in implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" and get back on the right track, and to ensure that patriots will be administering Hong Kong.
She also added that the electoral system's improvement will then allow Hong Kong to leverage its unique advantages to develop the economy and improve the livelihood of citizens with the staunch support of the Central Authorities.
HK to fully utilize 14th FYP opportunities
In response to a question from a reporter from CMG on how Hong Kong will integrate into the country's future development, Lam said that the HKSAR is deeply involved in the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) of the country.
She noted the 14th FYP sets out the directions for Hong Kong as an international aviation hub, a sci-tech innovation hub and an exchange hub for culture.
"In the next five years, we must make good use of the opportunities given to us in this national plan," Lam added.
Explanation on qualification review community
According to the Decision, the HKSAR shall establish a candidate qualification review committee which is responsible for reviewing and confirming the qualifications of candidates for the Election Committee members, the Chief Executive, and the LegCo members.
Lam clarified that the qualification review committee is not subjective and will not select candidates arbitrarily.
She noted the current system also has a relevant mechanism, but only by one person, that is, the Returning Officer, to decide.
When asked if Lam would stand for re-election, Lam said she did not need to and would not say her plan at present.
She also refuted the criticism that improving the electoral system only serves for her interests, stressing that the amendments would be scrutinized by the LegCo and that she was not the one who has ability to make decisions.
No aims of screening out opposite forces
The chief executive reiterated improving the HKSAR's electoral system does not to kick out those who represent certain political views, including the opposition camp, but to ensure that the LegCo complies with "One Country, Two Systems", safeguards national security, supports Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and is broadly representative, with the overall interests at heart.
Lam said she understood that improving the electoral system does not mean to completely solve all the existing problems, but would at least provide room for discussion instead of dealing with issues from a pan-political perspective as in the past, "whatever involves the Chinese mainland is not allowed".
She cited the example that in the past, in dealing with issues such as the high-speed railway project and co-location arrangement. "Some people have taken the opportunity to smear the Central Government, making the HKSAR government lose its ability to solve problems."
Lam believes that in the future, the HKSAR government's effectiveness in governance can be enhanced, and the government and the LegCo can have a healthy interaction to jointly find solutions to problems.
Ultimate aim of universal suffrage unchanged
Lam also stressed the ultimate goal of realizing universal suffrage remained unchanged, adding that NPC has made no change to this issue.
She said that she was aware that the public had certain aspirations for universal suffrage. However, she believes that concerted efforts were needed to achieve the relevant goals, adding that "it also depends on the actual situation and should be promoted in a gradual and orderly manner."
"If the actual situation in Hong Kong cannot guarantee national security, how can we talk about further development? I believe that if we can improve the system to protect national security, so that Hong Kong can really have long-term stability, we can continue to explore how and when to implement the goal of universal suffrage."
Ready to respond to foreign intervention
The chief executive said she is prepared for foreign politicians who may take the issue to to stir up disputes, stressing improving HKSAR's electoral system is China's internal affairs which allow no interference by any country.
After the implementation of the national security legislation for the HKSAR last year, as long as the SAR government arrested some suspected lawbreakers in accordance with the law, the western society considered these arrested people as "democrats" and interfered in by demanding the release.
She said she didn't know if those foreign officials making the requests "know what the rule of law is," and that she expected foreign countries this time would say that electoral system's amendment was a step backwards in democracy and thus interfere in Hong Kong affairs .
Lam recalled that last year the U.S. put her, other HKSAR officials and some Central Government officials on the sanctions list, which also affected their families. Lam said she will not be frightened by any sanction, saying HKSAR officials are ready to brave the challenge in a spirit of sacrifice.
HKSAR to fully cooperate with national legislature
Lam told reporters that the HKSAR government has very tight timetable to complete the amendment in the next 12 months, and also to conduct three elections according to the newly amendment. "The workload is huge, but we will rise to the challenge."
She noted the SAR government has the responsibility to explain the decision to the public so that the public could understand, support and embrace the amendments.
It should be clearly explained that improving the election system by the Central Government's "hand" is completely legal and constitutional, Lam said.
She added that the public should be aware that if the election loopholes are not plugged, it will have a direct impact on the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems", affecting the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and jeopardizing the sovereign security and interests of the country.
According to Lam, the HKSAR government earlier has held symposiums on the issue and will continue to listen to residents' views in the future so that the public would know how the new system works.