District councils of Hong Kong

The district councils, formerly district boards until 1999, are the local councils for the 18 districts of Hong Kong. Under the supervision of Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Government, administration and affairs.

District council
Traditional Chinese議會
Simplified Chinese区议会

History

Before establishment

An early basis for the delivery of local services were the Kaifong associations, set up in 1949. However, by the 1960s, these had ceased to represent local interests, and so, in 1968, the government established the first local administrative structure with the city district offices, which were intended to enable it to mobilise support for its policies and programmes, such as in health and crime-reduction campaigns. An aim was also to monitor the grass roots, following the 1967 riots.[1]

Under the Community Involvement Plan, launched in the early 1970s, Hong Kong and Kowloon were divided into 74 areas, each of around 45,000 people. For each, an 'area committee' of twenty members was then appointed by the city district officers, and was comprised, for the first time, of members from all sectors of the local community, led by an unofficial member of the Legislative Council (Legco). The initial purpose was to help implement the 'Clean Hong Kong' campaign, by distributing publicity material to local people. This was held to be a success.[1]

A next stage in the government's effort to increase local engagement and influence was the setting up, in June 1973, of mutual aid committees (MACs) in high-rise residential buildings. These were described in Legco as "a group of responsible citizens, resident in the same multi-storey building who work together to solve common problems of cleanliness and security." In fact, they were tightly controlled by the government. With government encouragement, the number of such committees increased rapidly in these private buildings, from 1,214 in 1973 to 3,463 in 1980. The scheme was extended to public housing estates, of which 800 had MACs in 1980, as well as factories and in the New Territories.[1]

The next development was the establishment of eight district advisory boards in the districts of the New Territories, starting with Tsuen Wan in 1977. The boards, whose members were appointed, were more formally constituted than the city district boards, charged with advising on local matters, recommending minor district works, and conducting cultural and recreational activities.

Establishment to present

Then in 1982, under the governorship of Sir Murray MacLehose, the district boards were established under the District Administration Scheme. The aim was to improve co-ordination of government activities in the provision of services and facilities at the district level and the boards initially took over the roles of the district advisory boards.[1][2]

At first, the boards comprised only appointed members and government officials, but from 1982, a proportion of each was elected.[1] In an attempt to inject a democratic element into the Legislative Council, the government introduced a model where some legislators were elected indirectly by members of the district councils. Twelve legislators were returned by an 'electoral college' of district councillors in 1985. The practice was repeated in 1988 and 1995.[3]

After the HKSAR was established, as part of the 'through train', the district boards became provisional district boards, composed of all the original members of the boards supplemented by others appointed by the chief executive. (Under the British administration, the Governor had refrained from appointing any member.)

Later in early 1999 a bill was passed in the Legislative Council providing mainly for the establishment, composition and functions of the District Councils, which would replace the Provisional District Boards. The 27 ex officio seats of Rural Committees, abolished by the colonial authorities, were reinstated. The government rejected any public survey or referendum on the issue, saying that it had been studying the issue since 1997, and had received 98 favourable submissions. The self-proclaimed pro-democracy camp dubbed the move "a setback to the pace of democracy" because it was a throwback to the colonial era.[4]

In 2010, the government proposed that five legislators be added to district council functional constituencies, and be elected by proportional representation of elected DC members.[5] In a politically controversial deal between the Democratic Party and the Beijing government, this was changed to allow the five seats to be elected by those members of the general electorate who did not otherwise have a functional constituency vote.

Operation

Functions

The councils are mandated to advise the Government on the following:

  • matters affecting the well-being of people in the District;
  • the provision and use of public facilities and services within the District;
  • the adequacy and priorities of Government programmes for the District;
  • the use of public funds allocated to the District for local public works and community activities; and

District councils also undertake the following within the respective districts with its available funds allocated by the government:

  • environmental improvements;
  • the promotion of recreational and cultural activities; and
  • community activities

Constituencies

There were a total of 534 district council members in the third term (2008–11), of which –

Starting from the fourth District Council Election, the total number of district council members has reduced from 534 to 507, of which –

  • 412 are returned by direct election
  • 27 are ex officio members (當然議員) (Rural Committees Chairmen in the New Territories), and
  • 68 are appointed members by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

Councils

Map of district councils

There is a district council for each of the following eighteen districts. The number in parentheses corresponds to the number shown on the map at the right.

Composition

Term of officeChairmenNon-officialsOfficialsOverall
Elected membersAppointed membersEx-officio members
(rural committee chairmen)
Urban council members
1982–85
District board
(1.4.82 - 31.3.85)
District officers1321342730167490
1985–88
District board
(1.4.85 - 31.3.88)
Elected from among DB members2371322730426
1988–91
District board
(1.4.88 - 31.3.91)
Elected from among DB members2641412730462
1991–94
District board
(1.4.91 - 30.9.94)
Elected from among DB members27414027441
1994–97
District board
(1.10.94 - 30.6.97)
Elected from among DB members34627373
1997–99
Provisional district board
(1.7.97 - 31.12.99)
Elected from among PDB members469469
2000–03
District council
(1.1.00 - 31.12.03)
Elected from among DC members39010227519
2004–07
District council
(1.1.04 - 31.12.07)
Elected from among DC members40010227529
2008–11
District council
(1.1.08 - 31.12.11)
Elected from among DC members40510227534
2012–15
District council
(1.1.12 - 31.12.15)
Elected from among DC members4126827507
2016–19
District council
(1.1.16 - 31.12.19)
Elected from among DC members43127458
2020–23
District council
(1.1.20 - 31.12.23)
Elected from among DC members45227479

Source: Review of the Roles, Functions and Composition

Political make-up of the councils

As of 2 January 2020:

Council/
Party
CW WC E S YTM SSP KC WTS KT TW TM YL N TP SK ST KWT I TOTAL
Democratic74742106937756121 90
Civic5114243732 32
ND23491 19
ADPL1135 19
CST8 8
TCHD124 7
Labour21211 7
CGPLTKO6 6
CM5 5
CA41 5
TMCN4 4
NWSC13 4
TSWC4 4
TPDA3 3
VSA21 3
Civ Passion11 2
DA2 2
DTW2 2
TKOP2 2
LSD11 2
SKC2 2
TKOS2 2
PP1 1
EHK1 1
TYP1 1
LMCG1 1
CSWWF1 1
CKWEF1 1
TWCN1 1
KEC1 1
SK1 1
CAP1 1
TSWLPU1 1
Ind & others58197744131336137731684 147
Pro-democrats1493215172215252816283315192640277388
DAB1124611131 21
FTU11111 5
Liberal11111 5
BPA311 5
FPHE21 3
Roundtable11 2
Ind & others31223212525110 48
Pro-Beijing143232100124412725251189
Others11 2
Vacant
Councillors151335172025252540213245222131423218 479

Terms of office

Under the district councillor appointment system, 102 district councillors out of 534 are picked by the chief executive. The remainder are democratically elected by voters in each district. In June 2010, the government announced it would make proposals on whether to scrap the system in the next Legco year, from October 2010.[6]

Independence

The party affiliations and politics in the Legislative Council can be echoed in the district councils, who have sometimes been accused of slavishly supporting the government. Professor Li Pang-kwong, of Lingnan University, says that the problematic framework of the councils, being under the Home Affairs Bureau, has led them to work too closely with the government. He cites the example of the "copy and paste" Queen's Pier motions passed by thirteen councils to support government decisions as a rubber-stamp, and a clear sign that councils lacked independence. Li recalled a similar government "consultation" on universal suffrage in 2007, in which two-thirds of the councils passed a vote in support of its position. After it was revealed that the government was behind the concerted district councils' motions in 2008 supporting the relocation of Queen's Pier, Albert Ho condemned the government for tampering with district councils to "create public opinion", and for turning district officers into propagandists.[7]

Elections

District council elections, 2019

 Summary of the 24 November 2019 District Councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % % ± Standing Elected ±
Democratic Party 362,27512.361.20999154
Civic Party 141,7134.831.21363220
Neo Democrats 87,9233.000.0820197
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 77,0992.631.1921197
Power for Democracy 69,7642.382.11221713
Team Chu Hoi Dick of New Territories West 31,3691.07-977
Labour Party 28,0360.960.60774
Community Sha Tin 25,5090.87-651
Tuen Mun Community Network 20,0860.69-544
Community Alliance 17,6350.60-543
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 16,1760.550.56442
Tin Shui Wai Connection 15,9980.55-444
Civic Passion 14,3260.490.28522
Tai Po Democratic Alliance 13,1850.45-444
Community March 12,1000.41-555
Tsz Wan Shan Constructive Power 10,1600.35-222
Democratic Alliance 9,8860.340.03321
Deliberation Tsuen Wan 9,5160.32-321
Action 18 9,0060.31-322
Tseung Kwan O Pioneers 8,9890.31-222
League of Social Democrats 8,3840.290.16322
Sai Kung Commons 4,6770.16-222
People Power 8,1490.28-211
Empowering Hong Kong 5,5900.19-111
Fu Sun Generation 5,4860.19-111
HTTH Environmental Concern Group 5,3890.18-111
North District Blueprint 5,2880.18-111
Tsing Yi People 4,7270.16-111
Sha Tin Community Vision 4,6910.16-111
Luen Wo United 4,4910.15-111
Lung Mun Concern Group 4,4100.15-111
Cheung Sha Wan West Front 4,2810.15-111
Shau Kei Wan East Future 4,2040.14-111
Choi Hung Estate Social Service Association 3,5230.12-111
Cheung Sha Wan Community Establishment Power 3,3590.11-111
Unity of San Hui 3,2760.11-111
Tseung Kwan O Shining 3,0890.11-111
Tsuen Wan Community Network 2,7880.100.01111
Victoria Social Association 2,6400.09-211
Independent democrats and others 604,89020.63-226133100
Total for pro-democracy camp1,674,083 57.1016.90515388265
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong 492,04216.784.611812196
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 128,7964.391.7243521
New People's Party 79,9752.732.5128013
Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong 66,5042.270.3725316
Liberal Party 27,6840.940.801153
Roundtable 26,0550.89-1225
Federation of Public Housing Estates 19,4950.660.42731
Civil Force 7,1640.24-302
Kowloon West New Dynamic 3,0520.100.71200
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions 1,7340.060.16101
Pro-Beijing Independents 380,52912.983.701852385
Total for pro-Beijing camp1,233,030 42.0612.5549862242
Non-aligned independents and others 24,6230.83-7721
Total 2,931,745 100.00 - 1,090 452 21
Total valid votes 2,931,745 99.59 - Elected 452 -
Invalid votes 12,097 0.41 - Ex officio 27 -
Total votes / turnout 2,943,842 71.23 24.22 Total 479 -
Registered voters 4,132,977 100.00 32.44
Source

District council elections, 2015

 Summary of the 22 November 2015 District Councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % % ± Standing Elected ±
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong 309,26221.392.501711190
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 88,2926.113.0148272
New People's Party 75,7935.240.9442261
Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong 27,4521.90-16104
Liberal Party 25,1571.740.242091
Kowloon West New Dynamic 11,6470.81-531
New Territories Association of Societies 2,3560.160.03220
Federation of Public Housing Estates 3,4570.24-111
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions 3,1680.220.06210
New Century Forum 1,7170.12-101
Pro-Beijing Independents 241,08816.68-178100
Total for pro-Beijing camp 788,38954.610.814862986
Democratic Party 196,06813.563.8695431
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 55,2753.820.0326182
Neo Democrats 42,1482.920.7716158
Civic Party 52,3463.620.4125103
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 16,1051.110.11650
Labour Party 23,0291.59-1232
Power for Democracy 3,9380.270.05110
Sha Tin Community Network 3,7180.26-211
League of Social Democrats 6,5260.451.40500
Individuals 52,6123.64-389
Total for Democratic Coalition for DC Election451,76531.250.0422610521
Youngspiration 12,5200.87-911
Democratic Alliance 5,3130.37-410
Kowloon East Community 3,9220.27-311
The Frontier 2,9740.21-110
People Power 11,5030.801.19900
Tuen Mun Community 5,1960.36-400
Civic Passion 3,0060.21-600
Tsz Wan Shan Constructive Power 3,6330.25-200
North of the Rings 1,7100.12-100
Land Justice League 1,4820.100.16100
Tsuen Wan Dynamic for the People 1,5000.10-100
Independent democrats and others 77,7675.38-6617
Total for pro-democracy camp581,05840.201.0033512625
Independent and others 75,0795.190.1911474
Total valid votes 1,445,526 100.0 - 935 431 19
Invalid votes 21,703
Total (turnout 47.01%) 1,467,229

District council elections, 2011

 Summary of the 6 November 2011 District Councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % Standing Elected ±
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong 282,11923.891.8418213616
Civil Force 35,2212.980.2720153
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 36,6463.102.7320117
Liberal Party 23,4081.982.412493
New People's Party 15,5681.32-1243
New Territories Association of Societies 2,1870.19-221
Economic Synergy 2,4040.20-311
Fu Cheong Estate Residents Association 2,2350.19-111
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions 1,8590.160.04210
Pro-Beijing Independents 252,72021.40-1721213
Total for pro-Beijing camp 654,36855.421.7743830123
Democratic Party 205,71617.422.04132473
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 45,4533.850.7526152
Neo Democrats 25,4372.15-1080
Civic Party 47,6034.030.264175
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 14,3641.220.11652
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions 4,0440.340.14300
Power for Democracy 3,8370.32-400
Individuals 23,0071.952.331461
Total for Democratic Coalition for DC Election 369,46131.293.60236889
People Power 23,4651.99-6211
League of Social Democrats 21,8331.850.662805
Land Justice League 3,0250.26-400
Citizens' Radio 1,7180.15-200
Independent democrats and others 45,0153.81-37143
Total for pan-democracy camp 464,51239.340.1836910316
Independent and others 61,9305.241.9610882
Total vaild votes 1,180,809 100.0 - 915 412 7
Invaild votes 21,497
Total (turnout 41.49%) 1,202,544

After the election, Donald Tsang appointed 68 members, none of them from the pan-democrat camp.

District council elections, 2007

 Summary of the 18 November 2007 district councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % Standing Elected ±
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong 292,91625.732.79178[lower-roman 1]11540
Civil Force 30,8802.710.2720183
Liberal Party 50,0264.391.6355143
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 4,2080.370.113[lower-roman 1]11
Tseung Kwan O Residents' Association 1,9220.17-11-
Tin Shui Wai Women Association 1,4570.13-11-
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions 1,3390.120.12110
New Territories General Chamber of Commerce 8180.07-10-
New Century Forum 5430.050.03100
Hong Kong Civic Association 3900.03-50-
Independents 226,64519.91-161118
Total for pro-Beijing camp 614,62153.987.3843027361
Democratic Party 175,05415.385.901105921
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 52,3864.600.4637177
Civic Party 48,8374.29-4182
League of Social Democrats 28,6012.51-2960
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 12,5651.100.24540
Frontier 18,2031.600.811533
Yuen Long Tin Shui Wai Democratic Alliance 9,5300.840.041114
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions 2,2730.200.18202
Civic Act-up 9910.090.40202
Individuals 60,5105.31-4410-
Total for Democratic Coalition for DC Election409,57335.97-296108-
Independent democrats and others 36,2083.18-3919-
Total for pan-democracy camp445,78139.155.5133512756
Independent and others 78,1336.862.211425-
Total (turnout 38.83%) 1,138,358 100.0 - 907 405[lower-roman 2] 5
  1. Candidates ran under both DAB and FTU banners were all counted as DAB in this chart.
  2. The total seats of the district councils are 534 including 27 ex-officio members (rural committee chairmen in the New Territories), and 102 members appointed members by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

In December 2007, Donald Tsang named 27 government-appointed council members.[8]

  • 13 members of the Liberal Party
  • 11 members of the DAB
  • three members from the Federation of Trade Unions

Tsang was criticised for not appointing a single member of the pan-democrats in either 2003 or 2007.[8]

District council elections, 2003

 Summary of the 23 November 2003 District Councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % Standing Elected ±
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 241,20222.940.592006221
Civil Force 25,7202.450.0222173
Liberal Party 29,1082.770.6527141
Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 29,0912.770.0523135
Wan Chai Community Union 1,1890.11-11-
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 2,7660.260.1330-
New Youth Forum 1,3140.12-20-
New Century Forum 8330.08-10-
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions ---11-
Independent and others 156,82714.92-136926
Total for pro-Beijing camp 489,889 46.480.9741720128
Democratic Party 223,67521.273.571209517
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 53,2645.070.3637254
Frontier 25,3492.411.251461
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 14,1461.350.94541
Yuen Long Tin Shui Wai Democratic Alliance 8,4180.80-642
Civic Act-up 5,1700.49-533
Central and Western Democratic Power 5,7480.55-42-
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions 4,0320.38-322
Yuen Long Democratic Alliance 1,4890.14-11-
7.1 People Pile 2,8880.27-30-
April Fifth Action 1,1490.11-10-
Citizens Party 3610.030.22101
Independent democrats 130,45312.41-87568
Total for pro-democracy camp 477,596 45.5410.2928819838
Independent and others 83,9397.98-1321-
Total (turnout 44.10%) 1,051,424 100.0 - 837 400 10

In 2003, Tung appointed 21 political party appointees to the district councils to dilute the influence of the pan-democrats as follows:[8]

  • eight members of the Liberal Party
  • six members of the DAB
  • six members from the Progressive Alliance
  • one from the New Century Forum

Professor of politics and sociology at Lingnan University, Dr. Li Pang-kwong said "As in the past, most of the appointees were pro-government or persons without a clear political stance... ensur[ing] that no district council is in the hands of the democrats."[9]

A spokesman for the democrats said the appointees "will have an unfair advantage in that they are getting financial support from the government which will help them run for office in future elections."[9]

After this election, this election would abolish the appointed members of the Hong Kong district councils.

District council elections, 1999

 Summary of the 28 November 1999 District Councils of Hong Kong election results
Political Affiliation Popular vote % Standing Elected ±
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 190,79223.5311.821768327
Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 23,1682.861.3325161
Liberal Party 27,7183.423.9834153
Civil Force 19,6332.420.6514112
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions 1,0740.13-111
New Territories Heung Yee Kuk 9420.12-110
Hong Kong Chinese Reform Association ---110
Independent and others 177,77421.92-1801044
Total for pro-Beijing camp443,44154.69-43623222
Democratic Party 201,46124.851.691738613
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 38,1194.702.2532191
123 Democratic Alliance 11,3961.410.601060
Frontier 9,3881.16-941
Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre 3,2950.41-320
Citizens Party 2,0720.26-110
Hong Kong Democratic Foundation 1,3920.170.42110
Independent democrats 58,7067.24-54387
Total for pro-democracy camp325,82940.18-28315722
Independent and others 41,5935.13-7910
Total (turnout 35.82%) 810,863 100.0 - 798 390 44

Note1: The total seats of the District Councils are 519 including 27 ex-officio members (Rural Committee Chairmen in the New Territories), and 102 members appointed members by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
Note2: Councilor Lau Kong-wah who ran under both DAB and Civil Force banners is counted as a DAB member in this chart.

In 1999, Tung Chee Hwa appointed 100 members to the district councils. These included 41 from various political parties, namely the Liberal Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), and the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance. No democrats were appointed.[9]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. Scott, Ian (1989). Political Change and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Hong Kong. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. p. 144. ISBN 0824812697. hong kong districts toothless OR powerless., from p140
  2. District Administration Hong Kong Government
  3. Cheung,Gary (14 November 2009), "Universal suffrage an elusive goal", South China Morning Post
  4. Carmen Cheung, "Referendum ruled out on seats issue" Archived 22 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Standard, 20 January 1999
  5. Lee, Diana, (15 April 2010). 'Grab this golden chance' Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Standard
  6. Lau takes on the radicals Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Standard, 28 June 2010, Phila Siu and Colleen Lee
  7. Olga Wong & Joyce Ng (24 June 2008). "'Rubber stamp' council lashed over pier vote". South China Morning Post. pp. A3.
  8. Frank Ching, "Tsang grooms his kind of political talent", Pg A12, South China Morning Post, 24 June 2008
  9. Michael Ng, Tung picks 'dilute' bodies Archived 22 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Standard, 29 December 2003
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