In this undated photo, Hong Kong Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah says electoral reform will help bring back rational debates to the city's legislature during an interview with China Daily. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah on Sunday hailed the benefits from the newly signed law to improve the electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Radicals with anti-Chinese sentiment and those who attempted to collude with external forces to meddle in Hong Kong’s affairs are less likely to enter the political structure through elections.

Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice

Writing on her blog, Cheng said the law would synthesize a new democratic electoral system suited to Hong Kong’s actual situation and with Hong Kong characteristics and lead to the operation of the Legislative Council returning to normal.

“The improvements to the electoral system should bring an end to the chaotic scenes at LegCo,” Cheng said.

“Radicals with anti-Chinese sentiment and those who attempted to collude with external forces to meddle in Hong Kong’s affairs are less likely to enter the political structure through elections,” she said. 

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“People who are devoted to serving the community will be able to participate in policy discussions in a rational and objective manner and offer constructive suggestions to the government,” she added.

Cheng said the amendment to the ordinance was made in accordance with the decision of the National People’s Congress on improving the HKSAR’s electoral system to fully implement “patriots administering Hong Kong” and safeguard the overall interests of society and the constitutional order.

She said the Election Committee is now entrusted with two new functions: Electing 40 legislators, and nominating candidates for LegCo election. 

“These are two important aspects of the electoral system. Through the reconstituted Election Committee, the balanced and orderly political participation of the Hong Kong community is enhanced and broader representation is ensured,” Cheng said.

“As such, the Election Committee is like the ballast of the new democratic electoral system, ensuring the overall interests of society, so as to fully and faithfully implement the policy of ‘one country, two systems’,” she added.

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Cheng said the newly established Candidate Eligibility Review Committee will be responsible for assessing and validating the eligibility of candidates for the Election Committee members, the Chief Executive and LegCo members.

She said this would ensure that the candidates’ qualifications conform with the Basic Law, the Hong Kong National Security Law, NPCSC’s interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law, the NPCSC on the qualification of LegCo members, and local laws which fully reflect the implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.