//Former and incumbent lawmakers tell local and international audience why Hong Kong legislature is more democratic and representative than it was under British rule, and after its revamp in 2020.//
CPA's decision was a child play
Legislative Council Member The Hon Dominic LEE said: "We condemn the CPA's decision to rescind our invitation to the Westminster Seminar. The decision was based on unfounded accusations and was a blatant slander on our enhanced political system. So, in response to CPA's unfair comments and decision, Hong Kong United Foundation together with the China Retold decided to organise our own seminar on Hong Kong legislature."
He said: "In my view, the decision made by the CPA was like a child play. Their accusations about "deteriorating situation" are simply unfounded, it is part of the anti-China rhetoric adopted by Western politicians in recent years, and are intended to discredit our enhanced political system adopted since 2021."
UK political system is ineffective
The Hon CY LEUNG, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said: "Universal suffrage and direct election to the Legislative Council was only initiated in 1991, 149 years after the British had ruled Hong Kong and 6 years before they handed Hong Kong back to China. But even then, only some of the seats were so elected."
He said: "It is extreme irony for this UK parliamentary group to showcase “effective parliament”. It is worldwide consensus that the British political system, and not just its parliament, is totally ineffective. Hong Kong has done better than the UK since it became a Chinese Special Administrative Region in 1997."
He also mentioned: "The Hong Kong Legislative Council is not a parliament, democracy in Hong Kong is therefore not a sovereign democracy where the people have the ultimate powers. What Hong Kong has is a local democracy. All local democracies such as those in London, New York or Tokyo can only produce local authorities with very limited powers. If anyone intends to regurgitate the allegation that China has breached the Joint Declaration, they will have to be factual and specific."
HK legislature is more democratic than it was under British Rule
The Hon Maria TAM, Deputy Director, HKSAR Basic Law Committee of Standing Committee of National People’s Congress said: "The ultimate aim is the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. So universal suffrage has got nothing to do with the British government, or the Joint Declaration. The Legislature under the Basic Law is far more powerful and democratic than under the British Rule, and we have universal suffrage. We can impeach the Chief Executive, We have checks and balance in respect of the laws or the budget, that’s been put forward by the executive, and all the members of the Legislature is constituted by election, meaning that the Chief Executive has no control over them. And they can serve Hong Kong, and the people who elected them.
LegCo back to order, rationality and functionality
Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, The Hon Mrs Regina IP said: "After the enactment of the National Security Law, after in early 2021, when the Central Authorities decided to overhaul our system to permit more rational and balance participation, to provide more wide ranging representation in the legislature. Since then, what happened? No more filibuster, no more physical violence in LegCo, no more throwing of bananas or glasses or snatching of papers from the officials. The Legislative Council has now returned to order, rationality and functionality, which is very good for the future of Hong Kong".
3 “Ps” show significance of HK’s Electoral Reform
Legislative Council Member, The Hon Carmen KAN said: "First, professionalism. Following the electoral reform, we are seeing outstanding and visionary professionals in their respective fields with a wealth of experiences to bring to the LegCo; Second, patriotism. The LegCo is now filled with legislative councillors full of passion and ability who truly perform the functions of the LegCo so that Hong Kong could stay true to the original design of “One Country, Two Systems”. Finally, productivity or effectiveness. With no more filibustering, the LegCo has since focused its time and efforts in performing its legislative and other functions according to the Basic Law".
HK’s better under "One Country Two Systems"
Legislative Council Member, The Hon Holden CHOW said: "With their falsehoods plus groundless accusations against One Country Two Systems, such an action is widely believed as part of their campaign orchestrated to smear Hong Kong and the central government. For those with an hidden aim to suppress China, their blatant smearing actions bear fruit. But the truth always lie in figures and statistics. Take GDP per capita as an example, in 1997, it was USD 27,330, in 2021, it was over USD 49,000, almost doubled of that over 25 years ago.
UK resorts to petty politics and exclusionary tactics
Legislative Council Member, The Hon Adrian HO said: "It is blatantly obvious that the withdrawal of the global seminar invitation had nothing to do with the situation in Hong Kong. It's about the UK attempting to exert control over a region it no longer rules. This decision represents a gross abuse of authority and runs counter to all that parliamentary democracy stands for, it resorts to petty politics and exclusionary tactics. This is incredibly disappointing".
The LegCo now has more plurality and participation
Legislative Council Member, The Hon Joephy CHAN said: "As a female and the youngest member of the Legislative Council, I can rightly say I am one of the best spokespersons when it comes to commenting on the plurality and participation in the Legco. The wider implication is that, after the improvement in electoral system, we see a more diverse representation and an increase in youth participation in politics".
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