Of all the adjustments to the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region approved by the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, during its recently concluded annual session, one of the most significant is the founding of a candidate qualification review committee. This closes a major loophole that existed in Hong Kong's electoral system, preventing anyone who advocates separatism or Hong Kong "independence" from being a candidate in any Hong Kong elections.

Those who advocate separatism or Hong Kong "independence" violate the law, and the committee will prevent any lawbreaking candidates from standing in an election.

It should be noted that this is not a new addition to the election procedures, as previously this task was performed by the local returning officers of each district. By shifting this essential procedure to a committee, the candidate qualification review process will be fairer. Instead of just one person, it will now be a group, following set procedures, that makes the decision on whether a candidate is qualified to stand in an election or not. This means the decision will be made after ample discussions.

It will also free the returning officers of worries about being targeted by any candidates they bar from taking part or their supporters.

It is common practice in the West to establish such committees to monitor elections. For example, the United Kingdom has committees to monitor whether any candidates have major moral or legal problems, and can bar a candidate from standing if they deem that to be the case. How can anybody blame the Hong Kong SAR for doing the same?

In 2016, there were some advocating Hong Kong "independence" elected to the LegCo. They refused to swear the oath of office, which includes pledging allegiance to the country. Hopefully, that is something that will not happen again.

The other major reform measures include expanding the Election Committee of the HKSAR from the current 1,200 members to 1,500, increasing their sectors from four to five, as well as increasing the number of LegCo members from 70 to 90.

Thus the changes to its electoral system further promote democracy in Hong Kong and make its legislative and administrative institutions more efficient.

－LI HUAN, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ON HONG KONG AND MACAO STUDIES AT CHINA INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS