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Hong Kong political reform

An updated code of conduct spells out 12 core values and qualities that Hong Kong civil servants should reflect, including an embrace of the constitutional order and national security. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong

Editorial | New code of conduct offers clarity on Hong Kong civil servants’ behaviour

Updates to the rules for 180,000 Hong Kong government employees are largely in line with expectations and now it is all down to promotion and education

Hong Kong courts

Prosecutors to appeal 1 of 2 acquittals in trial of Hong Kong 47

Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Legal process seen to take its course with landmark Hong Kong verdicts

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Hong Kong society

Letters | 3 bold ways within our reach to lift Hong Kong

Readers discuss the benefits of a push for universal suffrage while shoring up the economy, why we should bring our own cutlery when dining out, and the ills of high property prices and unbridled capitalism.

Tourists gather at Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area on a rainy day on May 2. With the Hong Kong economy facing headwinds, much of which are outside its control, Hongkongers need to brace themselves for a few years of hardship. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong is ready to have one person, one vote for chief executive

One way to help Hong Kong endure and thrive in this era of uncertainty is to further reform elections and have universal suffrage in voting for chief executive. Doing so would give the government broader representation, a stronger mandate and the ability to enact measures hindered by entrenched interest groups.

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Hong Kong economy

Inside Out | Dubai a reminder to Hong Kong that democracy isn’t everything

While Hong Kong has been unfriended by a West concerned about the city’s democratic freedoms and legal system, Dubai, an absolute monarchy, attracts less hand-wringing. The emirate seems to have borrowed the freewheeling spirit of Hong Kong of old, more crucial to progress than its specific political architecture.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | It’s not Beijing that’s turning Hong Kong into just another Chinese city

Over the past two years, there have been more signs that Hong Kong’s political elite are driving an increasing mainlandisation, chipping away at the city’s distinctive status and advantages.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong must defend the ‘two systems’ advantages that make it special

While geopolitics has hurt the world’s perception of Hong Kong, the city should also reflect on whether it has indulged too much in past glory and is ill prepared for survival and revival under new circumstances.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s first ‘depoliticised’ district polls raise more questions than answers

Tough questions must be asked about the election’s record low voter turnout and how defanged political parties can play a more ‘constructive’ role in an overhauled system

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong district council elections: why weak middle class turnout is troubling

The expanded constituencies mean candidates need to cover a large population, with those with deep connections to public housing estates having an advantage. Candidates relying on middle-class support to win district council seats have been left disappointed.

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second right) looks on as Electoral Affairs Commission members empty a ballot box in the counting station for the district council election at Queen’s College in Causeway Bay on December 11. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong district council election: can the ‘patriotic’ winners deliver?

Councillors’ performance will affect people’s confidence in electoral system overhauled at the behest of the central government, observers say.

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Ballot boxes are emptied as the vote count begins after Sunday’s election. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong politics

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.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s first ‘patriots-only’ district poll is ‘real, functioning democracy’

Beijing and its local offices offer congratulations to winning candidates, say vote important in implementing the principle of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong election body under fire over computer system failure in district poll

Political leaders Regina Ip, Stanley Ng and Priscilla Leung hit out at glitch that prompted extension of voting hours, with John Lee vowing investigation into failure.

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Voters check candidate information outside a polling booth in Wong Tai Sin. The electoral watchdog says the electronic voter registration system started experiencing problems at 7.42pm, which prevented ballot papers from being issued. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Beijing not taking Hong Kong’s current calm for granted: CY Leung

‘I don’t think anyone, Beijing included, has the illusion of being able to change the political situation in Hong Kong overnight,’ Leung Chun-ying says.

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People at a polling station in 2019. Ex-chief executive Leung Chun-ying says the voter base of radical protesters is still sizeable. Photo: Winson Wong
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong civil servants ‘are duty-bound to vote in district council election’

No 2 official Eric Chan and deputy Warner Cheuk call on government workers to cast ballots in first district council race held under Beijing’s electoral overhaul.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | District council elections: how opposition parties can reinvent themselves

With no presence in Legco and, soon, on the district councils, the opposition’s nomination failure is a chance to consider how they can better serve Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong politics

Hongkongers on mainland can vote at 2 places near border for district poll

Government says it will turn two schools near Sheung Shui MTR station into polling sites for December 10 vote.

Authorities have set a quota of 38,000 spots at the two sites, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to increases if the turnout is “very high”. Photo: Winson Wong
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | John Lee’s policy address will need to deliver hope, above all else

With Covid-19 a non-issue and domestic politics stable, people expect Lee’s administration to start delivering on economic growth, livelihood issues, housing and, crucially, hope.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s DAB elects new head who vows ‘good governance’ focus over vote chase

Gary Chan becomes chairman of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, replacing Starry Lee, who said she would stand down last month.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Don’t let Hong Kong’s political apathy become a ticking time bomb

Political powerlessness fuelled 2019’s social unrest. Sweeping political changes since then have left Hongkongers disengaged, and deep trust issues remain. The authorities must work on re-engaging the electorate.

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People celebrate the results of the 2019 district council elections in Wong Tai Sin on November 30, which saw pro-democracy parties make big gains. Political apathy is not a state to aspire to, and it doesn’t make governance any less challenging. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong

Opinion | Hong Kong 2.0 is about delivering certainty amid US-China volatility

Despite the restored stability in Hong Kong, the perception of uncertainty continues with national security concerns made more acute by geopolitical tensions. The government will have to work on delivering certainty and hope.

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Illustration: Stephen Case
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | While Starry Lee’s future looks bright, what of the DAB?

As Starry Lee leaves party leadership and district council work behind to focus on national politics, the challenge for her DAB successor is to find a future for the party in a changed political landscape.

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Hong Kong politics

First Hong Kong district council election under new system to be held in December

Political parties signal intent to field candidates in December’s district council election, but say larger constituencies will put pressure on finances.

Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong must ensure the reputation of rule of law is maintained

Critics have raised questions about the impact of the national security law on the city’s legal system, including potential ramifications for the business environment. Officials should continue to provide reassurance by explaining the way the law works, the procedures that are followed and the role of the judiciary.

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A woman walks past a promotional banner for the Hong Kong national security law in June 2020. Critics have questioned the law’s subsequent effect on the city’s legal system and its business environment. Photo: AP
Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Onus on revamped Hong Kong district councils to come up with goods

Bodies constituted under ‘patriot only’ governance model must show they can better manage municipal affairs and reflect different views of society in the city.

Hong Kong’s new councils will be made up of 470 members, with directly elected seats slashed to less than one-fifth. Photo: Bloomberg
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong political drama ends with district council reforms

This political detox should be enough for the powers that be to feel more secure about the new electoral system: mechanisms are in place to ensure that this city’s public office holders on all levels are certified patriots.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong bill to revamp district councils backed, cuts directly elected seats

Proportion of directly elected district councillors to be reduced from almost 95 per cent to 19 per cent.

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Hong Kong political reform
In June 2015, Hong Kong lawmakers voted on a political reform proposal for how to elect the city's leader by universal suffrage in 2017. Based on a framework approved by Beijing, the plan limited the number of candidates to two or three, with victory going to a person who could win majority support from a 1,200-strong nominating committee. Arguing the arrangement would not offer genuine universal suffrage, pan-democratic lawmakers opposed the plan, which failed as pro-establishment lawmakers did not produce enough votes to secure its passage.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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