Seminars and Discussion Group

Regional Forum on Constitutional Development
(Kowloon)
(19 July 2004)
Group Discussion Summaries
Group 5: Mr Wong Wing-tim

(Translation)

Method for Selecting the Chief Executive

The Number of Members of the Election Committee

• Most participants were of the view that the number of Election Committee members should be increased so as to enhance its representativeness and credibility. Some participants suggested that the number should be doubled or increased by one and a half times. A participant opined that another round of consultation should be held on the number to be increased.

The Composition of the Election Committee

• Some participants proposed to add elected and appointed District Council members to the Election Committee so that it could better represent the views of the community.
  
  

• A participant opined that the proportion of the number of members of various sectors in the Election Committee should be changed. He suggested increasing the number of members in the Second Sector and the Third Sector.
  
  

• A participant proposed that the delineation of the existing four sectors and the 38 sub-sectors of the Election Committee should be reviewed, and suggested the creation of a new sub-sector for the Chinese medical profession.
  
  

• A participant proposed to add district organizations to the Third Sector of the Election Committee.

The Number of Members Required for Nominating Candidates

• Most participants were of the view that a ceiling should be set on the number of subscribers required for nominating a candidate.
  
  

• A participant suggested that the number of subscribers required for nominating a candidate should range from 5% to 40% of the total number of Election Committee members.
  
  

• A participant opined that the required number should not be too large and should be below 50. This way, more prospective candidates may obtain the necessary number of Election Committee members to support their nominations. Other suggested numbers included "30 to 40", "100 to 200" and "at least 100".

The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of the Election Committee

• One participant suggested that an in-depth review be conducted to find out which organizations should be added to the Election Committee to enhance the latter's representativeness.

Method for Forming the Legislative Council

The Number of Seats in the Legislative Council

• There was a view that the number of seats in the Legislative Council should be increased. Another participant opined that any increase in the number of seats should be in a gradual and orderly manner.
  
  

• A participant proposed that the number of seats in the Legislative Council should be increased in the light of population growth.

The Number of Seats Returned by Geographical Constituencies

• There was a suggestion that the number of seats returned by geographical constituencies through direct election should be increased.
  
  

• A participant was of the view that the number of seats returned by geographical constituencies could be adjusted upwards having regard to the increase in the number of seats returned by functional constituencies, so that the number of seats returned by geographical constituencies and that of functional constituencies would remain equal.

The Number of Seats Returned by Functional Constituencies

• A number of participants opined that the number of seats returned by functional constituencies should be increased.
  
  

• A participant suggested changing the number of seats returned by functional constituencies and geographical constituencies to 20 and 40 respectively.

The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of Legislative Council Functional Constituencies

• Most participants were of the view that the existing delineation of the functional constituencies electorate should be adjusted.
  
  

• New functional constituencies suggested by the participants included Chinese medical profession, Fung Shui business, Mainland enterprises, estate agents, property management and security, kai fong associations, etc.

Provisions regarding Nationality of Legislative Council Members

• Most participants opined that persons with foreign nationality and right of abode abroad should not be allowed to be Legislative Council Members. However, some participants were of the view that as long as the Legislative Council Members genuinely cared for Hong Kong, we needed not be too concerned about their nationality.

Other Views

• A participant pointed out that in some countries, there was an appointed upper house and an elected lower house. The fact that Hong Kong's Legislative Council comprised seats returned by functional constituencies and geographical constituencies suited the actual situation of Hong Kong.
  
  

• A participant suggested that the government should actively consider setting out a timetable on constitutional development in order to minimize disputes.
  
  

• A participant proposed to extend the consultation period so that the public would have more time to express their views.