‘Deliver more practical outcomes,’ Chinese vice-premier tells Hong Kong Legco

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has urged Hong Kong’s legislature to deliver more “practical outcomes” that align with the city’s actual conditions and meet Beijing’s expectations under the executive-led governance system.

Emphasising the importance of the executive-led system for the second day in a row, the state leader reiterated on Saturday that its implementation was not solely the responsibility of the city leader or the government, as he outlined his expectations for the Legislative Council.

Ding, head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, cited that President Xi Jinping had earlier set out new requirements for the city’s governance in response to the “new circumstances” and stressed that implementing the executive-led system was a shared responsibility of the legislature, judiciary and all sectors of society.

“After this topic has been raised, all sectors must strengthen their research, exploration and practice, continuously summarising experiences,” Ding told the city’s deputies to the national legislature in a meeting during the “two sessions”.

“In particular, the Legco has tremendous scope to contribute under the executive-led system. There is vast room for practice, exploration and theoretical research.

“I hope that, during the eighth Legco term, the legislature under the leadership of Starry Lee Wai-king will explore and study this topic well, and produce more practical outcomes that fit Hong Kong’s actual situation and meet the requirements of the central government.”

The sixth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee member made his remarks in response to a speech by Starry Lee, the Legco president and the city’s sole representative on the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.