HONG KONG — Government-hosted Legislative Council election forums debuted this week with surprisingly subdued exchanges, prioritizing policy presentations over adversarial debate under the city’s revised “patriots governing Hong Kong” electoral framework. The first two forums, covering the New Territories Southwest and New Territories Northeast geographical constituencies, featured a conspicuously harmonious atmosphere, largely devoid of mutual questioning or impromptu viral remarks among candidates.
The forums, designed to foster “healthy competition” and discourage negative campaigning, produced little of the verbal sparring traditionally associated with political debates. During the morning session for New Territories Southwest, candidates spent the initial hour detailing their platforms and responding to moderator questions. Despite explicit invitations for candidates to question their rivals during the debate segment, four rounds passed without a single direct interjection. In one instance, a candidate from the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) attempted to inquire about household income statistics but ultimately offered the answer herself before pivoting back to her own manifesto.
Critics Question Format and Engagement
Senior political figures observing the proceedings noted that while the focus on positive campaigning was expected under the new political system, the lack of interaction risked creating a less compelling spectacle. A veteran pro-establishment figure conceded that the forums felt more like “sequential policy presentations” rather than genuine debate, raising concerns that the absence of sharp exchanges might dampen public interest in the election.
“If candidates are overly harmonious, it makes it difficult to raise social attention,” the source observed, emphasizing that incisive responses and clear positioning against rivals could otherwise be “a major advantage.”
The format itself was cited as a potential constraint on engagement. An insider suggested that the rotating, short time slots given to each of the five speakers per round discouraged candidates from engaging opponents, fearing it would limit opportunities to introduce their own platforms or give the impression of being “led by the opposition.” Recommendations included adopting models seen in past television debates, which could incorporate equal speaking time alongside structured, free-flowing interactions or designated cross-examination periods.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, who attended the initial forum, offered a more positive assessment, describing the atmosphere as “lively” and expressing the government’s desire for a high-quality election culture.
Rumors Surface Amidst Subdued Debates
Despite the calm on-stage demeanor, the forums did not entirely suppress campaign backroom dynamics. Near the conclusion of the New Territories Northeast forum, FTU candidate Chan Wing-yan made an urgent appeal to voters, cautioning them not to believe “rumors claiming I already have enough votes.”
This type of rumor—suggesting a candidate is already assured victory or facing no electoral pressure—has become a notable feature of the current cycle. Several high-profile candidates have recently publicly refuted such claims. FTU President Ng Chau-pei denounced similar online misinformation during the nomination period, stating it was “seriously untrue.” Another candidate, Chan Ka-pei, also recently clarified that claims she faced “no pressure” were false and that her campaign was severe.
Election veterans suggest that these “enough votes” rumors are frequently deployed against perceived frontrunners with strong public profiles, aiming to reduce their support and potentially boost candidates perceived to be on the cusp of winning. This tactic, previously used by opposition groups to galvanize their base, appears to have found new life in the current environment.
Government Controls Debate Platform
In an unprecedented move aimed at boosting low overall turnout, the government has organized and televised 39 election forums, ensuring all candidates must appear before the public. This eliminates the possibility of candidates refusing to participate alongside rivals, a common occurrence in previous electoral cycles.
Sources indicate that while other media outlets had planned to host more viewer-friendly forums with potentially sharper questioning, candidates are expected to attend only the government-sponsored events. With a significant number of new faces vying for seats, insiders suggest the government-run forums serve as the single “official stage,” allowing fresh political entrants to present themselves while mitigating the risk of inadvertent gaffes or aggressive attacks that could undermine the mandated culture of “healthy competition.”
For a full list of candidates in the Legislative Council election, please refer to government resources.
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