LegCo vote tests Hong Kong's resilience and high-quality democracy

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The recent election of the eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) marks an important juncture in the city's political development.

This election is not just a procedural exercise; it represents a renewed moment of accountability, institutional maturity, and civic trust. Taking place amid the shadows of a devastating fire that brought widespread trauma to Hong Kong, the LegCo vote has tested both the city's resilience and its government's capacity for swift, coordinated response.

The LegCo election continues Hong Kong's evolution under the improved electoral system, which emphasizes "patriots administering Hong Kong." Designed to ensure stability, unity, and effectiveness in governance, this system reflects the Chinese central government's broader vision for the city's future: an administration that serves both national sovereignty and local prosperity.

The election is an important achievement of milestone significance in further consolidating and developing high-quality democracy that aligns with the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, complies with the Constitution and the Basic Law, and suits Hong Kong's actual circumstances, a spokesperson from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said on Monday.

Public trust remains the cornerstone of any meaningful election. For Hong Kong, building that trust requires more than ballots – it requires demonstrable competence and responsiveness.

The recent fire that struck several high-rise tower blocks in Hong Kong highlighted the capacity of the local government to act decisively under pressure. Within hours of the incident, emergency responders and government agencies coordinated evacuation efforts, medical treatment, and support for affected families. This swift response not only eased immediate suffering but also reinforced the broader expectations citizens now have for their government: to be agile, transparent, and accountable.

As the trauma of the fire lingers, the government's ability to swiftly mobilize resources and provide relief has become a benchmark for public trust.

It is worth noting that during the election period, certain anti-China forces have sought to undermine public confidence by launching unfounded attacks on the electoral process and its candidates. Exploiting the sorrow caused by the fire, they attempted to sow discord by spreading false accusations against the government's disaster-relief efforts.

Their motive, apparently, is to manipulate public emotion and discourage voters, thereby disrupting the electoral process and tarnishing the legitimacy of the election itself.

The election has tested both the government's operational competence and the public's resilience. The eighth-term LegCo emerges as both a product of, and a response to, the public's demands.

Just as the spokesperson noted, the election highlights the institutional strengths of "One Country, Two Systems" and the advanced, superior nature of the new electoral system, which also demonstrates Hong Kong's unyielding spirit in soothing the pain of the fire tragedy, overcoming difficulties, and rebuilding homes together.

The significance of this election lies not merely in who was elected, but in what purpose they serve. The government's swift response to the fire, its mobility in the face of crisis, and its willingness to shoulder responsibility all point to a maturing public administration aligned with the people's expectations.

It symbolizes the victory of order and resilience over division. The city's ability to recover and stand together when tested remains its greatest foundation moving forward.

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