Secretary-general of the Hong Kong Coalition, Tam Yiu-chung, has described the executive and legislative branches as “comrades fighting side by side”, and that they form a unified governance team that “share honour and disgrace”.

At a seminar on governance on Thursday attended by approximately 300 officials and stakeholders, Tam, who's also a former lawmaker from the DAB, said lawmakers should adopt a more proactive approach by providing their suggestions early on in the policymaking process, well before a bill is submitted for vetting.

“From the outset, we must establish a relationship between the administration and legislature rooted in a shared future. Together, we must think, act, and strategise for the overall benefit of Hong Kong,” he said.

“Policymaking is a collective agenda for the entire governance team, not solely the administration’s responsibility. Therefore, I believe the legislature should actively seek solutions to challenges faced by the government.

“Lawmakers must undergo a fundamental shift in their mindset, aligning their goals with those of the administration.”

Tam added that the Legislative Council should bear in mind that it shares an equal responsibility if the government underperforms.

His comment was echoed by Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.

Lau said it is stipulated in the Basic Law that the executive and legislative branches are designed to ensure the steady implementation of “one country, two systems,” and safeguard national sovereignty and security.

“The SAR’s model can be said to be very unique, reflecting Hong Kong-style democracy, so it is difficult to refer to the economies of other countries and regions. It is not easy to grasp, shoulder, balance and implement this dialectical method. We need to continuously accumulate and summarise experience and learn from practice.”

He said the public should not read the Legislative Council’s support for the government as not fulfilling its duty, or to exaggerate contradictions during heated policy debates.

It is crucial to educate people about the uniqueness and necessity of Hong Kong’s executive-legislative relationship, Lau added.