Hong Kong ready to vote in LegCo election for a better tomorrow

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Hong Kong ready to vote in LegCo election for a better tomorrow

2025-12-06 16:58 Last Updated At：16:58

InsightSpeak

Mai Junhao

Hong Kong is set to begin its quadrennial election day for the Legislative Council tomorrow. While still recovering from the Tai Po fire, the city is once again in election mode, albeit in a more solemn mood. Candidates are making final efforts to garner support while citizens make up their minds on whom to support. As one voter said, “life goes on, I will vote this Sunday because it is my civic duty and I believe even one vote can make a difference.”

Yesterday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced the heartwarming news that all hospitalized victims of the Tai Po fire were no longer in critical condition. In the wake of this sudden and tragic disaster, the people of Hong Kong have demonstrated outstanding resilience and solidarity that has won worldwide praise. Tomorrow’s LegCo election will be a sign that Hong Kong has successfully overcome the disaster and is ready for a new chapter.

Certain foreign media outlets and malicious actors have tried to paint a gloomy picture for Hong Kong recently, portraying Hong Kongers as too grief-stricken to vote and the SAR government as inconsiderate for pushing ahead with the election. This is both misleading and irresponsible. There is no contradiction between voting in the Legislative Council election and mourning the fire’s victims, just as there is no contradiction between holding an election and disaster relief. The people of Hong Kong have proven capable of being both outstanding citizens and empathetic human beings, and the SAR government has proven capable of taking care of affected residents and organizing the election at the same time. So far, the government has arranged temporary housing for nearly 4,000 affected residents and provided dedicated social workers for each affected family, with the official relief fund receiving more than HK\$3 billion in donations.

There is still much to be done, and this can only be achieved by first getting the best possible candidates into the Legislative Council. Taking care of displaced residents of Wang Fuk Court and rebuilding their homes requires legislative approval for relevant expenditure. As the government launches an independent commission to investigate the fire, it is up to the Legislative Council to pass laws that would strengthen safety measures and prevent future disasters. Many candidates have voiced their views on this matter and promised to make this their immediate priority in office.

Besides the aftermath of the Tai Po fire, legislators also have much long-term work laid out for them. On the one hand is the need to navigate China–US rivalry and global geopolitical turmoil, on the other is the need to better integrate into China’s overall development plans and continue to maintain Hong Kong’s special status. Hong Kong also needs to revitalize and reform its economy by utilizing the latest technological innovations, while tackling deep-seated social problems to improve people’s livelihood. The demand for capable legislators has never been greater. All 161 candidates have demonstrated their qualifications and visions for the coming four-year term, and it is up to the voters to decide which ones are most suitable for their own best interests and those of Hong Kong as a whole.

Just as Hong Kongers have come together to show support for victims of the fire, they will come together to show their support for a better tomorrow with their votes. This great city has gone through many periods of great hardship in its history—from the brutalities of World War II to the financial crisis of 1997 and the global pandemic of recent memory—yet none has managed to crush the optimistic spirit of its people, and Hong Kong has emerged from each one more confident and prosperous than ever. As its citizens turn out to cast their votes tomorrow, we have every reason to believe in a brighter future for Hong Kong.

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Nepalese Students Visit Hong Kong to Discuss Impact of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - LegCo Members and Nepalese Consul-General Share Insights

Author: Member of the Legislative Council, Dr. Lee Hoey Simon

Under the joint initiative of Legislative Council Members Hon Maggie Chan Man-ki, Dr Hon Thomas So Shiu-tsung, Hon Wu Yingpeng, Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, law students from Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University in Nepal recently came to Hong Kong to participate in the annual International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition, and jointly organized the "A Young Chat of the Rule of Law and Social Development of Nepel since the BRI". Dr Bindeswar Prasad Lekhak, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR, attended the seminar. The event was supported by Regal Hotels Group, China Resources Group, Tseng Hin Pei Charity Fund Limited, and Basic Law Foundation, among other organizations.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee has gathered with young law students from BRI country in Hong Kong. This year, for the first time, the exchange was jointly organized with multiple Legislative Council Members, and for the first time, the Nepalese Consul-General in Hong Kong attended.

In his opening remarks, Dr Lekhak, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR, emphasized the long-standing and robust friendship between Nepal and China, reaffirming Nepal's steadfast commitment in upholding the one-China principle. Dr Lekhak pointed out that China is Nepal's second-largest trading partner, with close ties spanning trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism. Since Nepal participated in the BRI in 2017, collaborative projects have expanded across various sectors—including urban development, infrastructure, education, health, sports, and energy—providing significant opportunities for Nepal’s development. Nepal has a favorable investment environment and welcomes all sectors in Hong Kong to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Nepal.

During the seminar, the Nepalese law students shared profound insights into the positive changes the BRI has brought to their region, specifically discussing its tangible impact on improving local livelihoods and advancing the rule of law. They pointed out that during the pandemic, the BRI framework facilitated vaccine and medical assistance to Nepal, playing a significant role in humanitarian relief. In the long term, they have a positive vision for the BRI’s promotion of cross-border connectivity, bringing medical services, economic opportunities, trade efficiency, and cultural preservation to benefit local communities.

Local Hong Kong young leaders also participated in the exchange, engaging in in-depth discussions on how the BRI promotes the rule of law in Nepal, with particular focus on the critical role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and arbitration, in promoting regional legal cooperation. This exchange fostered mutual learning and deepened understanding and recognition, served as a vital communication bridge for young leaders from different cultural backgrounds.

To showcase their heritage, the Nepalese students presented traditional souvenirs, including Dhaka topi, handmade yak milk soaps, and traditional instruments singing bowls. The venue was also decorated with BRI-themed exhibition installations, enable attendees to experience the cultural charm of Nepal firsthand and further strengthening their friendship.