Fresh ideas promised as new faces make up most of the hopefuls aiming for spots in Hong Kong delegation to China’s legislature
- Observers call on new representatives to the National People’s Congress to be more outspoken in local politics to safeguard Beijing’s interests
- 21 out of the 36 current Hong Kong deputies will not be seeking re-election in Thursday’s vote
Almost two-thirds of the Hongkongers aiming to join China’s legislature for five years after a local vote on Thursday are new faces, as they vow to bring in fresh ideas and be proactive in reflecting residents’ voices to Beijing.
The NPC, the highest organ of state power on the mainland, has the mandate to amend the constitution and oversee its enforcement. It also enacts and amends laws, elects and appoints members to central state organs and directs policy on key issues.
Hong Kong has formed its own delegation to the NPC since 1998 and representatives are called deputies. The five-yearly election, taking place on Thursday, will have 21 out of the 36 current Hong Kong deputies not seeking re-election. A panel, with 1,421 members from the Election Committee, is responsible for picking the new deputies.
In past years, only nine to 13 new faces emerged as the remaining seats were occupied by those re-elected. But this time, only 15 incumbents are seeking re-election, meaning the delegation will feature at least 21 new faces.
A closer look by the Post found that among the 42 candidates who have secured nominations to run for a seat this year, 14 of them are under 50 years old.
The youngest hopefuls are watchmaker William Shum Wai-lam, 37, former district councillor Roy Chu Lap-wai, 39, and Iris Wong, 40, a chief officer of the Hong Kong Coalition, a pro-Beijing group.
