Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Election Committee Lee Kwan-ho at the HKSAR sixth-term Chief Executive election's main polling station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Wan Chai on May 8 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Election Committee (EC) Lee Kwan-ho expressed his congratulations to John Lee Ka-chiu for being elected as HKSAR's sixth-term chief executive designate, hoping the latter can lead Hong Kong with a more pragmatic approach, and truly present the determination of a highly capable person who loves his country and Hong Kong.  

Lee Kwan-ho told Beijing Review, "Hong Kong has experienced outright violence, social unrest and the pandemic. It needs pragmatic and effective leadership to bring it onto a new path, a path with clear goals, and in line with China's overall development and carrying forward Hong Kong's advantages." 

He is also HKSAR deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. According to the revised HKSAR electoral system approved on March 30, 2021, the region's Chief Executive, the highest office, shall be elected by the 1500-member HKSAR ECand appointed by the Central People’s Government. An NPC deputy is an ex officio member of the EC. 

"John Lee's political platform emphasizes Hong Kong's role in the growth of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including the creation of a new Northern Metropolis that will closely interact with neighboring Shenzhen—a concept I have always strongly supported," Lee said. He further hoped the new government will innovate and optimize its governance capabilities, and build a loyal and efficient team of capable people who love their country and Hong Kong.  

Lee Kwan-ho said that since its return to the motherland, from his father's time to now, Hong Kong has overcome many difficulties and worked hard to move forward.  

"Over the past 25 years, the general principles of 'one country, two systems' and 'the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong' have never changed," Lee said, adding that today, an improved electoral system with "patriots governing Hong Kong" meets Hong Kong’s actual development needs. 

The practice of "one country, two systems" requires time. Only truly capable patriots can govern Hong Kong and overcome more of its deep-rooted problems, Lee said. 

In the quarter century that has passed since Hong Kong's turnover to China, mistakes have been made and lessons have been learned. Lee prefers to liken the unrest in recent years to a rebellious teenage phase and believes the next 25 years will see HKSAR accumulate political wisdom from continuous growth and maturing. "It's a progress of growth," he added. 

"The motherland's love for Hong Kong is selfless, and Hong Kong should strengthen itself to live up to the efforts of our predecessors," Lee concluded. "I am very optimistic about the future." 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon   

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