Editorial | Hong Kong public expects better city, as promised in district poll revamp
- Hong Kong now looks to ‘patriotic’ councillors successfully returned following a ballot marred by technical glitches and an anticipated low turnout
The revamped district council election is widely seen as the final step on the path to complete a high-stakes governance overhaul vital for Hong Kong’s future.
With a new league of “patriotic” councillors successfully returned following a ballot marred by technical glitches and an expected low turnout, the latest journey has just begun.
Those representatives, together with the government, have to live up to expectations and prove that people’s livelihoods can genuinely improve under the new system.
The way forward for the newly constituted lower-tier structure has been clearly reflected in the “five expectations” from the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
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Polls open in Hong Kong’s new ‘patriots-only’ district council election
Apart from upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and adhering to the “non-government district organisation” role, members are also expected to help resolve conflicts, do practical things for residents, unite society and fulfil their duties conscientiously.
Describing it as a new chapter, Beijing’s liaison office expressed confidence in developing democracy with Hong Kong characteristics and enhancing the quality of district governance.
