Hong Kong on the path to electoral reforms through universal suffrage

The special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong; has made a substantial step towards democratic electoral reforms of how to select its leaders in 2017. Just two decades after returning to China, Hong Kong is on course to attain universal suffrage by 2017. The decision was adopted by China’s National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. The decision of the standing committee of the NPC relates to issues of selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage and the method of forming the legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by 2016.

The democratic development of Hong Kong has been a major topic since the return and transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. So far, universal suffrage in the selection of its chief executive has been the most important political issue. This is indeed a great step in electoral reforms vital for the development of the region’s political system in line with the one country, two systems principle. 

The One country, Two Systems Principle allows the Hong Kong government to administer all areas of government except foreign relations and military defence separately from the national Chinese government. Hong Kong’s basic law governs its political system, and stipulates that Hong Kong shall have a high degree of autonomy in all matters except the two. It also allows Hong Kong's independent judiciary to function under the common law framework. Nevertheless, the special administrative region of Hong Kong is required to cooperate with the central government. 

Representatives from the top legislature reiterated the view that minimizing the risk of political confrontation between the Special Administrative Region and the central government was essential. This was emphasized by the deputy secretary general of NPC Standing Committee, Mr. Li Fei when he said “To implement the policy of One country - Two systems, we won’t allow confrontations, neither within Hong Kong, nor between the SAR and the central government,". He added "There is a simple logic behind those who want different standards. It means we have to allow someone who wants to confront the central government to run in the elections. Otherwise, it’s not real universal suffrage; it doesn’t conform to international standards. Our attitude is very clear. 

At the heart of the political debate was whether a truly international standard exists when it comes to democratic elections, and whether they can be applied universally, especially in the context of Hong Kong. There was consensus and strong views that there is no such international standard.  According to Chu Kai, advisor of Fed. of Hong Kong watch Trades and Industries, “"There is no such international standard. Each country has its own special situation. We can never copy a so-called international standard and apply it to our own elections."

Therefore, the NPC’s standing committee’s decision was based on the Five-Step Process of Constitutional Development and it complied with the One Country Two Systems practice, the relevant provisions of the Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, its legal status, the interests of different sectors of Hong Kong’s communities and the development of Hong Kong’s economy.

Experts believe the NPC Standing Committee’s decision has offered a clear direction and provided guidelines for achieving the goal of universal suffrage in 2017. Different sectors of Hong Kong society have also hailed the decision of the Committee. The experts said that one of the biggest changes under the new policy is the nomination process for Chief Executive Candidates.

The new policy stipulates that, depending on its feasibility, a committee will name no more than two to three candidates. This will allow the ballot to be more efficient and avoid having to hold multiple rounds in case several candidates each only get 10 or 20 percent of the vote. Also unlike before, candidates must be endorsed by half of the nomination committee, rather than just one-eighth. That’s because in the past, the Chief Executive was elected only by the twelve-hundred members of the committee. But in the future, universal suffrage will apply to over 6 million Hong Kong residents. The elected candidate must have the endorsement of over half the committee, which takes into consideration all the different political, religious and social groups’ standpoints. 

However, the decision is not the final step as the decision still needs to be implemented wholly and it requires a two- thirds majority support from all members of the Legislative Council. Mr. CY Leung, the Chief Executive Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said "We should cherish the rights to historically elect our chief executive through ‘one person, one vote,' and express our opinions peacefully, rationally and legally. He urged all Hong Kong people, irrespective of their political affiliations, to come together with one heart, one vision, and take forward the democratic development of Hong Kong, and to implement universal suffrage."