HK elections signal good governance and renewed hope

Editor's note: Grenville Cross, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a senior counsel and law professor, and former director of public prosecutions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Although Hong Kong has been traumatized by the Tai Po fire tragedy which caused death, injury and destruction, everybody is pulling together to help the survivors and prevent any recurrence.

Whereas the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has done everything possible to attend to the housing, financial and medical needs of the victims and their families, there has been a huge outpouring of support from the general public. The central authorities have pledged their full backing, and people are united not only in their grief but also in their determination to learn from what happened and identify what needs to be done. In the face of tragedy, Hong Kong is showing resilience, responsibility and resolve.

Although everybody can see the quality of Hong Kong's cloth, local malcontents and foreign troublemakers have tried to politicize the tragedy. They have sought to smear the authorities and stoke public dissent, but are on a hiding to nothing. The days when political saboteurs and their overseas backers could endanger social harmony with impunity are gone, and those who seek to destabilize Hong Kong will face the consequences.

When, moreover, a catastrophe strikes, some governments demonstrate their worth, while others flounder. The chief executive of China's HKSAR, John Lee Ka-chiu, and his administration have more than risen to the formidable challenges they face. All arms of government have been galvanized, clear directions have been given, and a (judge-led) independent review committee has been announced – tasked with conducting a "comprehensive and in-depth review to reform the building works system and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future."

It is no exaggeration to say that the way the HKSAR government has reacted has shown Hong Kong's executive-led governance system in the best possible light. While recovery and resettlement efforts have proceeded apace, an eye has also been kept firmly on the wider picture. This has meant ensuring that the core principle of "people's livelihoods first" is fully respected at every turn.

Although a general election could be delayed, the chief executive decided that the 8th-term Legislative Council elections scheduled for December 7 would proceed as planned. This was fortunate, and the 161 candidates vying for the 90 seats have comprehensive platforms covering not only housing reconstruction and grassroots security but also Hong Kong's future direction of travel. Indeed, the electors are spoiled for choice, and they have many excellent candidates from whom to choose. They have all united in their commitment to doing what is best for Hong Kong and building a constructive consensus that will advance people's welfare.

The incoming legislators will be Lee's "partners" in addressing issues arising from the inferno, and they will need to work with the government as it reviews policies to prevent future tragedies. As they pool their efforts in the best interests of the affected people and the wider community, the benefits associated with the city's distinctive "patriots governing Hong Kong" paradigm will become increasingly apparent. 

More broadly, the new Legislative Council will have to ensure that a whole raft of policies is successfully taken forward. They involve employment, housing and welfare, but also the development of Hong Kong's potential in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The city will have important responsibilities under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), not only as a "super-connector" but also in the fields of finance, innovation and technology. The new breed of patriotic legislators will undoubtedly step up to the plate and help the government to discharge its responsibilities, whether regional or national, and this will help the entire country.

As Hong Kong struggles to come to terms with its loss, the incoming Legislative Council will have heavy responsibilities. It must be composed of the best possible people, and those who are entitled to vote should do so on December 7. This will benefit everybody, including people affected by the inferno and requiring improved livelihoods. All things considered, Hong Kong's best days are yet to come.

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