Foreign expert: New LegCo to bring faster, tangible changes to HK

Editor's note: Hong Kong will hold its first legislative election under the improved electoral system on Sunday. China Daily talked to an array of representatives from Hong Kong's various sectors to weigh in on the upcoming election and Hong Kong's democracy. A foreign financial consultant who has been living in Hong Kong for three years, Angelo Giuliano, says the new-term LegCo will bring faster, tangible changes to the city.

Q: Head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong said Hong Kong's new electoral system, which aims to maximally balance the interests of various sectors and broadly represent their voices, will open a new chapter of democratic development in the city. What is your take on this?

A: Democracy should never be a static system. Democracy is a system that should constantly adapt to new realities. The ultimate goal is to make sure that the political system has the best interests of people at heart and that it is representative of the various groups of the population.

Q: What is democracy in your opinion? To what end should democracy be used?

A: Democracy in Greek means "power to the people". It should be an expression of the will of the people and adapted to culture, history and various realities. There is not a "fit for all" system. Each country should be able to decide for whatever system is adapted to its own realities. Ultimately, the system should deliver and its legitimacy should come from the satisfaction level that people have for the system.

Q: Xia also said the new electoral system will help the elections return to healthy competition and better serve Hong Kong people. What do you think he means by healthy competition?

A: Healthy competition should be about groups competing but at the same time willing to compromise and find solutions together, as opposed to competing for power at the expense of Hong Kong's prosperity.

Q: Hong Kong has upgraded its electoral system several times since its return to the motherland. What do you think is the importance of the latest improvements made to the electoral system?

A: The latest changes are essential, as it comes after a painful period of divisions for Hong Kong. This term will be extremely important as people are waiting for tangible results.

Q: How important do you think it is to implement the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle in Hong Kong's electoral system?

A: Patriots administering Hong Kong is a reflection of international standards. All politicians around the world should work exclusively for their constituency and not be influenced by external forces. It is a simple vetting system that ensures politicians abide by Hong Kong Basic Law and "one country, two systems" by showing allegiance to both Hong Kong and the country.

Q: What are your expectations of the new-term Legislative Council?

A: I am expecting much faster changes and reforms, as there will be no more filibustering and foreign-influenced groups working against Hong Kong.