Efficiency and reform drive SARs' progress

China's top official overseeing the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions urged legislators on Monday to uphold an "executive-led" governance model, encouraging both regions to prioritize administrative efficiency and align with national development goals.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered the remarks at a seminar in Beijing. The event, organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, focused on strengthening governance in the regions.

Xia, also director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, called the executive-led system a core principle of the special administrative regions' political design and a guarantee for fully implementing "one country, two systems". He said the principle has proven its vitality and superiority, particularly in Hong Kong's progress from stability to prosperity.

"The two SARs must firmly uphold the system and continually improve it to enhance governance efficiency, which relies on synergy between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches," Xia said. He added that the legislative and judicial branches must work on the "same stage" with the government rather than undermine one another.

As Hong Kong and Macao each elected a new-term legislature last year, Xia urged lawmakers to deepen their patriotic commitment, actively participate in reforms and development, engage diligently in legislative affairs, and project a respectable public profile.

He also stressed that SAR governments, led by their chief executives, must serve as "primary stewards" of local governance, rally their legislatures, judiciaries and communities to align with national development plans, strengthen the cities and drive higher-quality economic progress.

Xia called on the SARs' chief executives to embed the executive-led principle in all aspects of governance, pursue "highly efficient, results-driven" administration, innovate governance methods, leverage legal powers for reform, break entrenched interests, and align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

Reflecting on Xia's remarks, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in a social media post that executive-led governance is a "fundamental requirement" under "one country, two systems", a "staunch pillar" of Hong Kong's sustained success, and key to efficient governance and improving residents' well-being. He said his administration will intensify efforts to boost governance efficiency and build a results-oriented, proactive government, asking for support and scrutiny from the new-term Legislative Council.

Hong Kong legislator Michael Ngai Ming-tak said he is "keenly aware" of his responsibility to support the government in improving governance efficiency with pragmatic, people-centered policies. Macao legislator Jose Chui Sai-peng vowed to fulfill his "bridging role", balancing support with constructive oversight to keep government work grounded and attuned to community needs.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, said it hopes more members will team up with lawmakers to support policymaking initiatives aligned with Hong Kong's development goals. "Implementing the executive-led system and cultivating sound executive-legislative relations are vital," said Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the chamber. "Doing so will assist the SAR government in steering Hong Kong through deeper reforms, resulting in stronger economic growth."

wanqing@chinadailyhk.com