District councils should prioritize national security, otherwise discussions about the economy and livelihoods will be just “empty talk,” says the city’s second-largest official

Hong Kong's new district councils should make national security a top priority, otherwise discussions about improving the economy and people's livelihoods will be just “empty talk,” the acting leader said.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki called on elected councilors to fully implement the principle of “Patriots Governing Hong Kong” while ensuring that municipal-level bodies function as non-governmental organizations for advisory and district services.

“Quite simply, without national security, discussions about improving people's livelihoods and developing the economy are just empty talk,” he said on Tuesday before the weekly meeting of the Executive Council, the city's top decision-making body.

Chan will be acting managing director and city leader until Wednesday John Lee Ka-chiu is on his second official visit to Beijing.Acting Chief Executive Eric Chan has called on elected councilors to fully implement the principle of “Patriots Governing Hong Kong”. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

On Monday, the government gave two lectures to the new district councilors, in which they were briefed by Chan and Interior and Youth Affairs Minister Alice Mak Mei-kuen on the district administration and new guidelines to monitor their work performance.

Chan also urged district councilors to make efforts to engage with residents and seek their views to effectively explain and promote government policies and ensure smooth implementation.

“The overall goal is to carry out district administration effectively and continually enhance residents’ sense of security, satisfaction and happiness,” he said.

“I have great confidence that the new district councilors can act as a bridge between the government and residents and further improve the effectiveness of the district administration.”

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District officials, officials who will head district councils in the city's 18 localities, would also meet with the new councilors to brief them on their areas of focus and explain their job responsibilities in detail, according to Chan.

The 470 incumbents will take the oath on January 1 next year under Mak's supervision, and their first working meeting will be held in the first week of the month, with the results and agenda presented to the District Governance Steering Committee Chan goes to the District officials past.

During Monday's lectures, the new district councilors were also briefed on the performance monitoring guidelines the government has set out to assess whether they are carrying out their duties effectively.

Campaign supporters gather for their candidate during the Dec. 10 county council election in North Point. Photo: Sam Tsang

The job performance guidelines, which take effect Jan. 1, require township workers to attend at least 80 percent of general meetings each year, submit an annual work report and provide notice if they plan to leave the town for more than 48 years hours

Asked whether the requirements were too strict, especially for those who have already held various public offices, Chan said they were standard for district councilors who are truly committed to serving the local community.

Hong Kong's new district councils 'required to attend 80% of meetings each year'

He said the rules were drawn up after many councilors who won seats in the 2019 district council elections committed acts that undermined municipal bodies, such as skipping meetings, using foul language or even disrupting proceedings of meetings.

Chan added that the aim of the guidelines is to provide a framework for dealing with unacceptable or irresponsible behavior by district councils.

“In such cases, we have a solid basis and can handle the situation according to established guidelines. We are also confident that these guidelines will not put pressure on the vast majority of district councils today,” he said.