【明報專訊】In socio-political participation, people try to influence the course of public affairs and government policies with the intention of advancing social reform, monitoring the government and safeguarding underprivileged people's interests.

◆Non-institutional means

Social movements

Citizens engaged in social movements take collective action in an attempt to bring about changes to institutions or policies or build what they believe to be a just society. In September 2014, students and citizens came out in large numbers demanding "real" universal suffrage. The act of civil disobedience was called the "Occupy Movement", in which protesters blocked some roads for 79 days. Some believe the Occupy Movement has politically awakened many Hongkongers.

Demonstrations, protests and assemblies

In 2003, a series of social and political issues (such as the SARS epidemic, the economic downturn and the proposed Article 23 legislation) led to an outburst of public discontent. According to The Civil Human Rights Front, which organised the mass demonstration that took place on July 1 that year, more than 500,000 took part in the protest. July 1 mass demonstrations are now held annually and have become an important non-institutional means of socio-political participation.

Petitions

Social groups often express their objections to government policies or put forward their demands in petitions. In December 2016, the Education Bureau proposed a new version of Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) programme for primary three students in 2017. Secretary for Education Eddie Ng said he wanted the public to look at the programme from a new perspective. However, a number of groups drew up a petition to express their determined opposition to the reinstatement of TSA. More than 10,000 people signed it in two days.

◆Institutional means

Elections

It is a civil right and a civil duty to vote in elections. It is also a way in which citizens can play a part in politics. Now eligible Hong Kong voters may vote in District Council elections and Legislative Council elections. In 2017, the Chief Executive will be chosen by a 1200-strong Election Committee. The majority of Hong Kong people are barred from the vote.

Public consultation

The government often consults the public and gathers citizens' views before deciding on a policy. It is also a form of socio-political participation for citizens to express their views to the government. But not every opinion is considered or accepted. In 2016, the government put forward in a consultation three proposals for rebuilding Queen's Pier. However, apart from views over these proposals, the government received 1,049 submissions demanded that the pier be rebuilt where it had been. Nevertheless, the government argued that it was impossible to do so. It has yet to decide on the matter.

Complainants' meetings

Under the government's proposal, land in places including Kwu Tung North and Fanling North is to be zoned into a new development site for putting up housing and commercial facilities. The plan is opposed by local residents, who argue that the government is destroying their homes. In October 2014 the Town Planning Board convened a complainants' meeting. Many villagers demanded that the government drop the development plan. Nevertheless, the draft zoning plans that the Town Planning Board submitted to the government in April 2015 were not revised. The government adopted them.