Radical change is needed in the mindset and governance of Hong Kong, says pro-Beijing lawmaker Regina Ip

She says the purpose of the electoral system overhaul is to ensure that only true patriots can take part in the governance of the region.

Raucous campaigning and sharp exchanges between the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps usually mark Hong Kong’s legislative elections. But ahead of this year’s December 19 polls, campaigning in the Special Administration Region (SAR) has been muted. Low voter turnout is set to mark the first polls since Beijing’s passing of a national security law and a massive overhaul of the electoral system. The share of directly elected representatives from what are called geographical constituencies (the rest are nominated) has fallen from 35 out of 70 to only 20 in an expanded 90-member Legislative Council (LegCo). Beijing has also tightened screening of candidates to ensure only “patriots” can run for office. With these changes, some in the pro-democracy camp are boycotting the election, while others are either in prison, for their roles in the 2019 pro-democracy protests, or have given up politics entirely.

One point of agreement across the political divide is that radical change in Hong Kong is needed, with problems ranging from rising inequality, a housing crisis, and growing isolation from the world amid a stringent and so far successful “Zero COVID” strategy, to the unpopularity of current Chief Executive Carrie Lam and a tide of emigration among the young. Regina Ip, a long-time lawmaker who is running for re-election, is the founder of the pro-Beijing New People’s Party, and is a former Secretary of Security, shared her thoughts on the issues facing Hong Kong providing written responses to questions from The Hindu. “Radical change”, she said, is needed in the “mindset” and “governance” of a government beset by “myriad problems”.

Interview edited for clarity.