Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday voted to adopt a decision for the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to continue performing duties.
The decision was passed at the 21st session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam submitted a report to the Central People’s Government on July 28, proposing the delay of the seventh-term LegCo election, originally scheduled for September 6, by a year due to a surge in coronavirus cases in the city.
After September 30, the sixth LegCo will continue performing duties for no less than a year until the seventh LegCo starts its four-year term, according to the decision.
The NPC said the decision is in line with the law, adding that it’s necessary and appropriate to ensure the normal functioning of Hong Kong government and the society.
‘Solid legal basis’
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China’s State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR both voiced resolute support to the decision made by the Standing Committee of the NPC for the sixth LegCo of the HKSAR to continue performing duties.
The NPC Standing Committee’s decision provides solid legal basis for the sixth LegCo to continue performing duties, said the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China’s State Council in a statement, adding that it will cooperate with relevant authorities in implementing the decision.
What has happened since the return of Hong Kong proves that the central government and 1.4 billion compatriots have always been a strong back for Hong Kong, the statement added.
The Liaison Office in a statement noted the NPC Standing Committee’s decision was made in accordance with the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, stressing the unchallengeable legal authority of the decision.
Saying the decision can minimize the social shocks and enable Hong Kong to concentrate on epidemic prevention and control work, the liaison office believes that, with the support of the central government and help from the mainland, Hong Kong will surely win a victory against the pandemic.
‘Care and support of the central government’
The chief executive of the HKSAR expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Standing Committee of the NPC, saying the decision resolves the issue of the lacuna in the legislature arising from the postponement of the election.
“It not only maintains the constitutional and legal order of the HKSAR, but also ensures the normal governance of the HKSAR Government and the normal operation of society,” Lam said in a statement, adding “It demonstrates once again the care and support of the central government for the HKSAR.”
According to the statement, the HKSAR government will publish in the Gazette the NPC Standing Committee’s decision in due course and also publish in the Gazette the withdrawal of the decision on the prorogation of the sixth-term LegCo so as to enable the sixth-term LegCo to resume operations at an early juncture when necessary.
Lam also met with President of the LegCo, Andrew Leung, earlier on Tuesday to relay to him the NPC Standing Committee’s decision and exchange initial views on the resumption of operation of the LegCo.
Stressing that the postponement of the LegCo general election was a very difficult decision, she told Leung that it was a necessary decision in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, public safety and public health as well as to ensure the election can be conducted openly and fairly.
“I hope that under the continued leadership of Leung, LegCo members can set aside their differences and disputes, and rebuild mutual trust for the well-being of the Hong Kong people,” Lam added.
