Chief Executive John Lee recently made a statement declaring that democratic reform is no longer a priority for his administration, as he believes that the issue has already been settled. This announcement came during a press conference following the 2024 Policy Address, where Lee addressed questions about the agenda for his administration.
According to Lee, political reform has been addressed through the implementation of a new election system for members of the Legislature Council (LegCo) and the chief executive, as well as improvements to the district administration system. He emphasized that these reforms are crucial and need to be effectively implemented to achieve maximum benefits.
In response to calls for democracy from the League of Social Democrats (LSD), Lee reiterated that democratic reform is not a focus for his government in this term. The LSD had been advocating for dual universal suffrage and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms, including the right to vote, freedom of the press, and free speech.
The push for electoral reforms in Hong Kong began in March 2021 when Beijing passed legislation requiring “patriots” to govern the city. This move resulted in a reduction of democratic representation in the legislature, tighter control over elections, and the introduction of a pro-Beijing vetting panel to select candidates. While the Hong Kong government argued that these changes would ensure stability and prosperity, they faced international criticism for limiting the participation of pro-democracy candidates.
Further changes were made to the District Council elections in May 2023 to ensure that only “patriots” were elected, following a pro-democracy landslide in the previous polls. The number of seats chosen democratically by the public was significantly reduced, with the majority now being appointed by government committees. This overhaul also included national security vetting for all candidates to ensure their patriotism.
In his 2024 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee touched on a variety of other topics, including tax cuts on premium liquor, the expansion of a top talent scheme, and the relaxation of visa rules for citizens of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Additionally, initiatives such as a new monthly subsidy for elderly individuals living in care homes in Guangdong and the launch of an online emotional support platform for young people were announced.
Overall, the message from Chief Executive John Lee is clear: democratic reform is considered settled in Hong Kong, and the focus now shifts towards implementing and maximizing the benefits of electoral reforms that have been put in place. While some may continue to advocate for greater democratic rights, the current administration’s stance remains unchanged.