HKSAR's LegCo election charts new course for governance and development

Editor's note: Xu Ying is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The successful completion of the eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) election of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) represents far more than a routine political event. Conducted in the aftermath of a devastating fire that deeply affected the Tai Po community, the December 7 poll became a testament of the city's administrative resilience, social cohesion, and civic commitment. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of Hong Kong's improved electoral system – legally rigorous, procedurally modernized, and firmly oriented toward stable and results-driven governance.

The election was grounded in a legal and institutional framework that has evolved continuously since the comprehensive electoral improvements of 2021. Hong Kong has steadily refined its electoral legislation to ensure constitutional alignment and operational clarity. The LegCo's review of the Electoral Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill earlier this year reinforced precision in statutory language and strengthened procedural safeguards. These developments reflect a purposeful strategy: to build electoral institutions capable of sustaining public trust through greater clarity, transparency, and predictability.

Administrative innovation further strengthened the integrity of the process. The Electoral Affairs Commission expanded the use of digital tools, enabling voters to verify registration through the "iAM Smart" application and allowing candidates to submit nomination materials electronically, thereby reducing administrative burdens. The establishment of polling stations at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint and Hong Kong International Airport marked an important step forward in making voting more accessible to residents who travel frequently or work at transportation hubs. These measures helped streamline participation while maintaining strict compliance with electoral rules.

A major legal enhancement for this cycle was the full incorporation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance into the electoral guidelines. Individuals convicted of serious national-security offenses are now clearly disqualified from standing for election. This safeguard ensures that those seeking public office uphold their constitutional duties and reinforces the principle that political participation must be compatible with the city's stability and long-term interests.

The Tai Po fire introduced a somber backdrop to the election, yet the tragedy did not dampen public engagement. Instead, it strengthened civic resolve. Many residents viewed participation as part of a collective effort to reaffirm confidence and rebuild community cohesion. Predictions that turnout would decline were contradicted by the results. Voter participation increased across all constituencies: Geographical constituencies reached 31.9 percent, functional constituencies rose to 40.09 percent, and the Election Committee constituency reached 99.45 percent, each higher than the corresponding rates in 2021 These figures reflect a shift in political attitudes toward practical and results-oriented engagement. Many voters articulated a desire to support candidates capable of addressing concrete livelihood issues such as housing, building safety, elderly care, and economic transformation.

The new 90-member LegCo reflects a wide spectrum of Hong Kong's social, economic, and professional sectors. The system – comprising 40 Election Committee seats, 30 functional constituency seats, and 20 geographical constituency seats – was designed to balance broad societal representation with sector-specific expertise and district-level accountability. The 161 candidates who entered the race formed one of the most diverse pools in recent cycles. Among them were academics, technology specialists, social workers, small-business managers, medical professionals, cultural practitioners, and athletes. This diversity ensures that policymaking benefits from a broad range of perspectives and grounded professional experience.

Competition was visible across all segments of the election. In the geographical constituencies, 51 candidates contested 20 seats available across Hong Kong's 10 districts. In several functional constituencies – such as those representing labor, community services, or emerging industries – candidates secured their mandates through active competition and clear support from their respective sectors. These patterns demonstrate that the improved system has not sidelined contestation, but instead has redirected it toward substantive platforms and professional contributions.

The significance of this election is ultimately defined by what it enables for governance. The exercise reinforced Hong Kong's trajectory toward a high-quality democratic model characterized by institutional stability, legal clarity, and governance capability. Proceeding with the election as scheduled underscored the importance of continuity in public institutions, especially at a moment when the community is recovering from tragedy. Newly elected legislators, having witnessed the city's recent challenges, are expected to approach issues such as building safety reforms, emergency preparedness, and social welfare with both urgency and practical insight.

The eighth-term legislature begins its mandate as Hong Kong prepares to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). The city faces a wide set of interconnected challenges: revitalizing economic competitiveness, diversifying its industrial structure, strengthening youth mobility, accelerating technological innovation, and deepening integration with national development strategies. A legislature composed of both experienced figures and energetic newcomers with specialized knowledge will be critical to advancing these goals. The mix of continuity and renewal provides an institutional foundation capable of addressing structural issues while responding to citizens' expectations for more efficient and pragmatic governance.

The deeper meaning of this election lies in its orderly, stable, and inclusive execution. It demonstrated that Hong Kong's electoral system can function effectively under pressure, that civic participation remains resilient even in the shadow of tragedy, and that political evolution can proceed through institutional refinement rather than confrontation. The challenge ahead is to translate electoral legitimacy into measurable improvements in public policy, social cohesion, and long-term development. As Hong Kong moves from restoring stability to pursuing prosperity, the performance of the newly-elected LegCo will be pivotal in determining how successfully the city meets its next phase of development.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)