Andrew Leung, president of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), meets the press in Hong Kong, south China, May 27, 2021. Hong Kong's legislature passed amendments to electoral laws on Thursday, wrapping up the local legislation of improving the financial hub's electoral system. The Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021 was approved in its third reading by the Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), after it was first brought to lawmakers on April 14. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
HONG KONG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's legislature passed a bill amending the electoral laws on Thursday in the latest efforts to put an end to violence and political chaos and get the global financial hub back on track.
With 40 votes in favor and two against, the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021 was approved in its third reading by the Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), after it was first brought to Hong Kong lawmakers on April 14.
HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam called the bill's passage a "landmark occasion" for ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" under "one country, two systems".
The bill's passage followed related amendments made at the state level by the country's top legislature earlier this year.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted on March 30 the amended Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law, which concerns methods for the selection of the HKSAR chief executive and the formation of the LegCo.
Improving the electoral system was another major step following last year's national security legislation to restore peace and prosperity in Hong Kong.
Stressing the urgency and necessity of improving the electoral system, Lam said anti-China disruptors capitalized on the electoral loopholes to enter Hong Kong's power structure in recent years, jeopardizing Hong Kong's constitutional order and endangering national security.
The amended laws will be published in the Gazette and come into effect on May 31.
With the local legislation completed, Hong Kong will hold elections of the Election Committee and the LegCo on Sept. 19 and Dec. 19 this year respectively, and hold the Chief Executive election on March 27, 2022. Enditem
