Lam: White paper timely, authoritative account of HK democracy

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Monday said the SAR government fully welcomes the newly published white paper on Hong Kong's democracy, calling the release a timely move after Sunday's Legislative Council election.

Her remarks came after the State Council Information Office issued a comprehensive report Monday on the origin and development of democracy in the Hong Kong special administrative region, as well as the principles and position of the central government.

Noting that Sunday's election was the first LegCo election after the electoral revamp, Lam said  she foresaw criticism and allegations against the election in a near future.

"The best way to refute these allegations is to look back at the history," said Lam, adding that the facts are much "powerful" than imaginations and allegations, and the white paper provides a full account of the history and facts.

Lam said that before 1997, British Hong Kong government had no serious intention to give Hong Kong people democracy until the last government, which perhaps intended to leave some problems for the city by rushing to introduce democracy with no regard to the overall situation of the city.

But after 1997, in accordance with the Basic Law, central authorities made strict and serious attempts to establish democracy in Hong Kong, said Lam. But these attempts were sabotaged by the opposition camp, who claimed to be pro-democracy, she added.

Calling the paper an authoritative account on Hong Kong's democratic development, Lam said that the most important basis for enhancing Hong Kong's electoral system is to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong".

Citing the damage that unpatriotic people would bring if they enter the governance structure, Lam said it is important to have the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" laid out in the electoral revamp, as Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the nation.

The new electoral system allows all patriotic candidates with diverse backgrounds to become a LegCo member, she added.