Hong Kong’s leader yesterday said the fresh crop of lawmakers who are to take office after the “patriots only” legislative election would drive institutional reform, following the city’s deadliest fire in decades.
The Chinese finance hub on Sunday held its second contest under electoral rules that Beijing imposed in 2021, which slashed directly elected seats and tightened political vetting for candidates.
About 1.32 million of the 4.14 million registered voters cast ballots, slightly fewer than in the 2021 race. However, the turnout edged up to 31.9 percent from last time’s record-low 30.2 percent, thanks to a smaller population of voters.
Photo: Reuters
A government publicity blitz for the election was halted last month after a blaze tore through the housing blocks of Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong, killing at least 159 people and displacing thousands.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) yesterday said those who voted had shown “support for the government’s commitment to recovery and reform following the tragedy, and for electing capable and committed [lawmakers] to drive institutional reform.”
The new legislators, expected to start work early next year, will “join hands with the [government] to undertake support and recovery work following the tragedy,” Lee added.
A spokesperson for Beijing’s office overseeing Hong Kong affairs hailed the outcome and said the turnout “significantly exceeded” the previous iteration.
“The successful conclusion of this election fully reflects the collaborative, determined and united ‘Lion Rock’ spirit of Hong Kong society,” the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office said in a statement.
Newcomers make up more than 40 percent of the winners, which included Olympic champion fencer-turned-tourism sector representative Vivian Kong (江旻憓).
Legislature elections in Hong Kong used to feature boisterous clashes between pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps, with the latter often winning about 60 percent of the popular vote. Beijing overhauled Hong Kong’s electoral system in 2021 after the city saw huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests two years before.
Sunday’s race featured 161 government-vetted candidates and was once again devoid of the two largest pro-democracy parties: the Civic Party, which disbanded in 2023, and the Democratic Party, which is winding down.
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