HONG KONG, Oct. 16—Fifty candidates vying for seats in Hong Kong’s legislature through the Election Committee constituency convened Friday at Queen Elizabeth Stadium for a government-sponsored policy forum, emphasizing their commitment to the governing principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong.” The event served as a major platform for aspirants from diverse professional backgrounds to articulate their platforms, which largely centered on economic transformation, social welfare planning, and deepening integration into mainland China’s development framework.
Unlike traditional electoral debates, the forum bypassed question-and-answer sessions and structured debate components, focusing instead on individual manifestos presented by all 50 candidates. High-profile observers, including National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee member Henry Tang and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archbishop Andrew Chan, attended the proceedings.
Policy Agendas Stress National Integration and Economic Strategy
Many candidates highlighted strategies aimed at leveraging national policies to benefit the semi-autonomous territory. Lo Kar-keung, a veteran in corporate management, stressed the need to inject his business acumen into the Legislative Council (LegCo) during Hong Kong’s “critical period of moving from governance to prosperity.” He emphasized the twin goals of safeguarding national security and utilizing the opportunities presented by the mainland’s forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan to structurally upgrade the Hong Kong economy.
Yiu Pak-leung, seeking re-election after serving the tourism sector, reframed the industry not just as an economic pillar but as a vital “three-dimensional window for showcasing Hong Kong’s charm to the world and telling the China-Hong Kong story well.” He advocated for elevating tourism to a strategic level to ensure better cross-sector collaboration.
The drive toward technological application and global connectivity featured prominently. Vivien Man, speaking on the transformative power of artificial intelligence, urged Hong Kong to utilize its advantages in professional consulting and high-value services. She called for strengthened technological adoption across industries and seizing opportunities within the Belt and Road Initiative. Fan Chun-wah echoed this global outlook, suggesting Hong Kong diversify its trade focus beyond traditional markets to include Belt and Road nations and Russia, alongside promoting innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Focus on Social Welfare and Maritime Economy
Several candidates carved out niche policy areas crucial to Hong Kong’s demographic and economic challenges. Peter Koon, known for his background in social welfare, argued his experience positioned him uniquely to address the coming demographic crisis. He estimated over 800,000 residents would be over the age of 80 within the next decade and emphasized the urgency of formulating a comprehensive “aging society blueprint.”
Re-elected legislator Steven Ho, who transitioned from representing the fisheries and agriculture sector, outlined a shift toward developing Hong Kong’s “marine economy blueprint.” Ho described the marine economy as an underutilized treasure that encompasses not just aquaculture but also yachting and maritime tourism, noting a current deficiency in policy and supporting infrastructure.
Legal and Cultural Commitments
Maintaining Hong Kong’s global character while adhering to national directives was a recurring theme. Barrister Ng Ying-pun, who is also a practicing lawyer in the mainland, focused on strengthening Hong Kong’s legal framework against foreign sanctions. He stressed the importance of the Special Administrative Region actively participating in the nation’s foreign legal strategy amid heightened international complexities.
In a notably colorful presentation, Clarence Fok, from the New People’s Party, sought to retain Hong Kong’s international flavor, proposing the city, potentially in partnership with the Greater Bay Area, bid to host the Olympic Games. He ended his address by performing an a cappella rendition of singer Sam Hui’s local anthem, Bauhinia, proclaiming Hong Kong as a beautiful home filled with potential.
The forum, which concluded around 5 p.m., highlighted the candidates’ consensus on national security, economic diversification, and social stability as prerequisites for effectively governing the city. Labour representative Lam Chun-sing underscored the need for faster infrastructure development in the Northern Metropolis, advocating for streamlined procedures and attracting immediate investment from universities and corporations. The successful staging of the event sets the stage for the upcoming election, underscoring a commitment among candidates to aligning Hong Kong’s future firmly within the national development trajectory.
Leave a Reply