Hong Kong’s executive-led governance model has long been a cornerstone of the constitutional design. Its relevance was again highlighted when China’s state leader in charge of the city’s affairs stressed the
“shared responsibility” across government branches and society as a whole to uphold the principle and prepare for the next stage of development under the new five-year national plan.
Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang is the most senior official yet to shed light on the city’s governance. He said the executive-led system was “important and essential” for the city to align with China’s 15th five-year plan and advance its integration with the mainland. He called on the chief executive and the government to strengthen their sense of being the head of the city, adding that support from the legislature, judiciary and all sectors was needed. He also urged the legislature to deliver
more “practical outcomes” that align with the city’s actual conditions and meet Beijing’s expectations under the executive-led governance system.
It was not a casual remark when Ding acknowledged the difficulties in truly implementing the system. Coming after the central government’s work report
urging the city to boost its governance efficiency, leverage its “unique strengths” and align with the new five-year national development plan, the message for Hong Kong to consolidate the executive-led system is loud and clear.
The “shared responsibility” call is in line with earlier remarks by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, that the legislative and judicial branches should perform
“on the same stage”. With the city embarking on a new critical stage of development, the emphasis is on unity and progress rather than confrontation and bickering.
Constitutionally rooted in the Basic Law, the model placing the city leader and the administration at the core of governance has moved beyond a British colonial legacy. The chief executive is responsible to both the central government and Hong Kong while the executive, legislative and judicial branches perform their functions and work together for the common good of Hong Kong.
That does not place the executive branch above others; nor does it mean the government is not open to criticism. Indeed, the stress on the city leader as the person with primary responsibility underlines accountability. For Hong Kong to thrive, the chief executive must lead boldly – while the legislature and the judiciary continue to perform their functions as prescribed in the law – to win public support by setting the right policy direction. Only then can Hong Kong enhance effective governance under “one country, two systems” and capitalise on the opportunities in the new five-year plan.
