The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, today (January 28) issued a statement, expressing strong disapproval and staunch opposition to the decision by the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK) to withdraw its invitation to the LegCo of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to attend the 2023 Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments on the ground of the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong. The decision by CPA UK, which was based on political prejudice and hearsay, showed that they do not understand the actual situation of Hong Kong and attempt to derogate and sideline Hong Kong. The LegCo will not participate in this so-called "seminar" that carries blatant political bias.

     Mr Leung stressed that each jurisdiction has the right to pursue a political system that can best suit its actual situation, and this right should be respected by other parliamentary bodies. The LegCo always respects and welcomes representatives of governments or parliamentary bodies from different regions or with different political systems and is more than willing to explore development opportunities with them.

     Mr Leung pointed out that the improvement of the electoral system in HKSAR manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness and balanced participation in the LegCo. This enables a spectrum of different voices in the Legislature that upholds the overall interest of Hong Kong. While suiting the actual situation of Hong Kong, the improved electoral system is conducive to better quality of democracy, higher governing effectiveness and good governance.

     Mr Leung emphasized that the LegCo is, as always, committed to adopting an inclusive and respectful approach to establish a constructive relationship with other parliamentary bodies with different political systems. The LegCo also welcomes various liaison activities, including receiving other regions' parliamentarians and parliamentary delegations visiting Hong Kong, and will continue to send delegations of the LegCo Members for overseas exchange.

Ends/Saturday, January 28, 2023
Issued at HKT 23:52

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