NPCSC decision 'serves the best interest of HK'

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress' decision on Hong Kong's legislative vacuum serves the best interest of the city, allowing it to focus on beating the coronavirus, civic leaders and political heavyweights agreed on Wednesday.

A day earlier, the nation's top legislature adopted the decision to allow the current Hong Kong lawmakers to stay in office for at least one more year — a move to address the power vacuum created by the postponement of the LegCo election until September 2021.

Solicitor Kennedy Wong Ying-ho told China Daily the decision reflected the central government's respect of the "one country, two systems" principle.

By leaving decisions, such as whether lawmakers are required to swear an oath again in the upcoming term, to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Wong said this decision fully demonstrated the central government's determination in supporting Hong Kong' having a high degree of autonomy.

Leung Chun-ying, a former chief executive of Hong Kong, said the NPCSC's decision allows Hong Kong to focus on overcoming the daunting challenges posed by the coronavirus, and propels the city forward.

That decision enables the SAR government to focus on containing the pandemic and allows for better coordination among government bureaus to manage the economy and improve people's livelihoods in the coming year, Leung told Xinhua News Agency.

The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging in Hong Kong, with 62 new cases recorded on Wednesday, bringing the total tally to 4,243, with 63 deaths.

Lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun noted the NPCSC decision offered a legal basis for LegCo to function normally. In the coming year, LegCo at least will have stability to do significant work relating to livelihood issues and economic prosperity, Leung said.

Lawmaker Holden Chow Ho-ding, vice-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong — the largest political party in the legislature — told China Daily that the decision was made in the best interest of Hong Kong, as a functional LegCo is essential amid the grave situation.

He hopes opposition lawmakers cherish the opportunity to serve the overall interests of Hong Kong people and stop making destructive acts to undermine LegCo's operation.

Chung Ting Fai, founder of the Chung Ting Fai & Co Advocates and Solicitors, a law firm in Singapore, told China Daily that the NPCSC had every right to make a decision when failure to do so the legislative vacuum would bring chaos to Hong Kong society.