Newly elected lawmakers call for unity

Lawmakers from 27 functional constituencies in Hong Kong pledged on Tuesday to abandon partisanship in the new legislature and stay united to scrutinize and cooperate with the government on policymaking in a bid to solve long-standing social issues.

Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, a lawmaker-elect from the industrial sector was one of the group meeting the press on Tuesday, a day after the election results of the 90-seat Legislative Council were fully announced.

Leung, who was re-elected, said lawmakers for functional constituencies carry heavy responsibilities to not only speak for his or her trade, by also for the benefits of the whole city.

Leung said he believes the newly elected lawmakers would put social issues under scrutiny and advise and supervise government administration in different ways.

The first LegCo election under the improved electoral system was historic, he said, stressing the council members expect a new start, which can get rid of partisanship and work in solidarity.

Martin Liao Cheung-kong, representing the commercial sector and a veteran lawmaker, said now that violence and filibustering in the council are gone, he wished lawmakers could bring hope to society by searching for the best solution that meets the interests of all.

Liao also mentioned all lawmakers are elected though fair competition, with no one being elected automatically.

Calling the composition of the lawmakers diverse, Liao said the revamped electoral system is inclusive of people from across the political spectrum and the functional constituencies also consist of representatives from different sectors and industries.