Representatives from various sectors of Hong Kong on Monday gave their advice about improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at separate symposiums held by the central authorities' departments.

Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, promised to listen to key local figures as he launched the first of 60 sessions attended by 1,000 business elites, community leaders and pro-establishment figures.

Zhang Yong, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, and Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, were also present at the launch of the symposiums.

Ng Chau-pei, president of Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, suggested that the District Council's seats in the Election Committee should be removed and the District Council should no longer participate in the election of the chief executive or the LegCo. The District Council's seats in the LegCo should be removed, too, he said. 

Given the deteriorating working environment in the LegCo in recent years, entrusting the Election Committee with the function of electing a relatively large share of LegCo members will improve Hong Kong's democracy and enable Hong Kong to focus on developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, which is conducive to Hong Kong's long-term development, Starry Lee Wai-king, LegCo House Committee chair, said. 

Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairwoman of Hong Kong's New People's Party, said the current LegCo still lacks full representation of Hong Kong's high-end financial industry and some key science and technological industries, and she hoped that the future Election Committee will make up the shortfall.

Wong Kam-leung, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, suggested measures to create favorable conditions for patriotic education through improving the electoral system, so that Hong Kong's education sector can be pushed back on the right track. 

The NPC, China's top legislature, last week adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. The decision was passed by an overwhelming majority vote at the fourth session of the 13th NPC. 

(With input from Xinhua)