Latest news with #LegCo
HKFP
a day ago
- Entertainment
- HKFP
Performance artist calls out lawmakers for ‘homophobic slurs,' says LGBTQ community ‘not something to fear'
A Hong Kong performance artist has called lawmakers' discussion of the government's same-sex partnership bill 'homophobic,' saying that the LGBTQ community is not something people should fear. Holok Chen and an activist who asked not to be named staged a performance and spoke to reporters outside the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry in Central on Monday. Both were dressed as monsters, with Chen donning a wedding gown and the activist wearing a tuxedo. Chen said their costumes symbolised the way lawmakers had 'demonised' the LGBTQ community in their discussion of the government's proposed framework for recognising same-sex partnerships. 'It feels almost [as if] I'm talking to my father when I'm reading all those reports from the [Legislative] Council, how they use homophobic slurs… saying that we might harm children and women,' Chen told HKFP. Referring to their costumes, Chen added: 'I want to create a speculative future where monsters, even monsters of different taxonomy, can live, can love, can kiss and can enjoy their divine union.' The government's proposal is currently going through the Legislative Council (LegCo). Since an electoral overhaul in 2021 that required lawmakers to be 'patriots,' the council has been left without an opposition. However, all but one major political party in the Legislative Council has said that they oppose the bill, which proposes allowing couples who married or formed a union overseas to be recognised as a partnership in Hong Kong. Most parties say such a framework threatens traditional family values and could pave the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, something the government has denied. Earlier this month, lawmaker Holden Chow said in a LegCo meeting that the framework could encourage 'two fathers' and 'two mothers' to adopt children. 'How can we educate the next generation to uphold family values and the traditional institution of marriage between a man and a woman under such circumstances?' he said in Cantonese. Another lawmaker, Priscilla Leung, warned that the proposal would open 'a Pandora's box.' Chen staged a performance outside the LegCo building on Friday, wearing a rainbow-coloured cape and carrying a 'Pandora's box,' plastered with words like 'love and 'hope,' in an apparent protest against Leung's remark. Chen, who identifies as a non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said they wanted to use the performance to 'recontextualise our existence: that we are not something that you have to fear, not something that you have to gatekeep.' A dozen police officers watched as the artist and the activist staged their performance, unfurling a white banner that said 'Queertopia.' The officers also asked the pair for their ID cards and cordoned them off from reporters with orange tape before the performance began. 'Toxic' The government unveiled its proposal earlier this month, three months before the deadline to establish a framework for recognising same-sex partnerships, following a top court ruling in 2023 that found the lack of such a mechanism unconstitutional. The case stemmed from a judicial review by pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham, who married his partner in New York in 2013 and challenged local authorities' lack of recognition of their union. The top court gave the government two years – until October 27 this year – to fulfil the obligation ordered by the court. Ahead of submitting the proposed framework to the Legislative Council earlier this month, the government did not hold any public consultations despite LGBTQ advocacy groups' efforts to reach out to the authorities. No public hearings, where members of the public present their views to officials in LegCo meetings, will be held. There is only a five-day window to send written submissions, which ends at 5pm on Tuesday. Chen said they had few expectations for the framework, which activists have criticised as being limited and offering only protection in the areas of medical issues and after-death arrangements. The artist criticised that the government had two years to work on the framework, but it did not consult the LGBTQ community in the process and only introduced the bill to the legislature in recent weeks. While heterosexual couples have a 'guaranteed house,' the framework offers same-sex couples only a 'tin board,' Chen said. '[The government says] You can build your own house, but I won't even provide a sofa or a place for you to stand on,' they added. 'There are many voices that want to even vote down this tin house.' Earlier on Monday, the Legislative Council's Bills Committee on the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill, with lawmakers asking officials questions on matters such as issuing registration certificates and how partnerships can be nullified. Chen said they had not paid too much attention to what lawmakers had been saying in the meetings, calling them 'toxic.' 'They do not take up space [in my head],' Chen said in Cantonese. 'Why should I give them space to harm me?' Online petition Chen called on LGBTQ supporters to join an online petition initiated by Sham, which invites people to send in written submissions using a template. The LegCo website, which publishes the written submissions, however, has not been updated since last week. Regina Ip, the only lawmaker on the bills committee who supports the framework, asked committee chair Brave Chan if all submissions received would be viewable online. Chan said yes, except for submissions for which anonymity was requested. Following the completion of the discussion in the committee on Monday, the bill will move to the council meeting for a debate, in which all 89 lawmakers will take part before voting. No date has been set yet for the debate. The Legislative Council will take a summer break in August before resuming in September.
HKFP
4 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
HKFP Monitor July 26, 2025: The impact of state media attacks, and rare tension among lawmakers over same-sex bill
This week, Beijing-backed media ramped up the 'soft resistance' narrative with a full-on, week-long attack on indie bookshops, cafés, and other businesses – raising questions about what they signal. Meanwhile, tension is brewing in Hong Kong's 'patriots-only' legislature, as some lawmakers push back against a bill granting limited rights to same-sex couples – a rare sight since the electoral overhaul. With the next LegCo election looming, the political scene remains unusually quiet. A local column suggests hopefuls are holding back, waiting for the green light to run. And finally, a cheerful celebrity photo turned political drama as stars Eric Tsang and Kenny Bee rushed to apologise after being pictured with controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee. Chinese state-run newspapers Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao have ramped up their attacks on indie bookshops, stores, and media outlets they label as pro-democracy — devoting a week of full-page reports accusing them of 'soft resistance.' Their reporters visited shops, cafés, as well as a tea house, a boutique, and even a claw machine store, digging for signs of ideological 'threats.' They even published a map showing a cluster of so-called 'yellow' shops in Sham Shui Po. According to the reports, some stores sold items with protest-linked slogans like 'We fucking love Hong Kong' and 'May good people have peace throughout their lives' -though social media page HK Propaganda noted that Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao had themselves used the latter phrase multiple times. Books by indie newsrooms The Witness and The Collective were also singled out, accused of bias and with their founders' backgrounds highlighted. So what's going on? These attacks aren't new. Since the national security law came into force in 2020, state media have often acted as both a test balloon to gauge public reaction – and a warning shot to their targets. Former Wen Wei Po deputy editor Ching Cheong told HKFP in 2021 that such campaigns usually reflected central planning more than spontaneous journalism. And they've worked before. In 2021, four members of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council resigned after similar accusations. But this time, some seem to be unfazed. Hunter Bookstore – targeted on Wen Wei Po's front page for two straight days – called the claims 'ridiculous,' adding it hoped more people would 'stand firm under pressure' and 'do what's right.' Since Hong Kong overhauled its electoral system in 2021 to create a 'patriots-only' legislature, it has been rare to see lawmakers push back on government bills. But the proposed Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill is sparking rare tension between the executive and the legislature. The bill, introduced earlier this month, is the government's response to a 2023 top court ruling requiring legal recognition of same-sex couples within two years. According to the proposal, limited rights would be granted to same-sex couples married overseas. LGBTQ groups have slammed it as inadequate. Meanwhile, many lawmakers are pushing back hard, claiming it amounts to recognising same-sex marriage and could undermine 'fundamental family values.' So far, only Regina Ip — who officiated at the 2023 Gay Games — and lawmakers from her New People's Party, as well as solicitor Paul Tse, have voiced open support. Chief Executive John Lee has stressed that the government must comply with the court's ruling, warning that ignoring it could lead to 'serious consequences.' The bill is currently under review by a 15-member bills committee before heading to a full Legislative Council (LegCo) debate. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will hold their ground in rejecting it – and how the government plans to meet the court's October deadline without breaching the ruling. | LOCAL MEDIA MONITOR Unusually quiet? Local newspaper Ming Pao's political gossip column said on Wednesday that Hong Kong is seeing an 'unusually quiet' lead-up to the LegCo election in December. According to the anonymous writer, most politicians hoping to enter or stay in the 'patriots-only' legislature are still 'waiting for instructions,' with barely any public moves being made. Nominations opened on Monday for a by-election to fill 93 vacant seats in the 1,500-member Election Committee – the powerful body that nominates the city's chief executive and LegCo candidates, and directly elects 40 lawmakers. The column also mentioned a rumour swirling in political circles: around one-third of current legislators might not be staying. Apparently, securing a second term could hinge on passing an informal 'assessment' by the chief executive. Some unnamed lawmakers even claimed that senior government officials have written reports on certain legislators — reports that could influence their future in LegCo. Pro-establishment figure Lau Siu-kai said he had heard the rumour too but expressed doubts that the city's top leader has the final say. Beijing, he said, wouldn't want LegCo to be just a rubber stamp and still values lawmakers who offer constructive criticism. Celebs photo row: Hong Kong stars Eric Tsang and Kenny Bee took to Chinese social media site Weibo over the weekend to apologise after a photo surfaced showing them posing with controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee, known for his outspoken criticism of mainland China. In the photo, Bee was seen with his hand on Namewee's shoulder. While they didn't mention the Malaysian singer by name, Bee said he had 'no idea' about the person's background or 'inappropriate words and actions.' Had he known, he added, he wouldn't have interacted with him. 'This was an inadvertent mistake and in no way reflects my support for his views,' Bee wrote in a signed statement. Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, originally shared the group photo on Threads but later deleted it. He said it was to protect the 'safety of comrades in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area,' and to avoid affecting the 'peace and stability of the motherland.' Namewee is best known for his satirical 2021 track Fragile, which pokes fun at hypersensitive Chinese nationalism. He's also had multiple run-ins with Malaysian police over the years in connection with his provocative music videos and film. HKFP PHOTO OF THE WEEK This giant calendar shows every inspection Hunter Bookstore has faced from various government departments since 2022 – with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department making the most appearances. The inspections are part of a broader wave of bureaucratic pressure on indie bookstores across the city. In our exclusive report last week, six independent publishing companies said they had all been hit with simultaneous tax audits over the past 18 months. Those in the independent news sector, including HKFP, previously said they were facing similar scrutiny too.
HKFP
5 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
New code of conduct for lawmakers to introduce meeting attendance requirements, tougher penalties
Hong Kong lawmakers have unanimously approved a new code of conduct that specifies requirements for meeting attendance, voting, and other duties while introducing tougher penalties for misconduct. Eighty-eight lawmakers on Thursday voted for two motions by legislator Paul Tse aimed at enhancing the Legislative Council (LegCo)'s operations. It came a day after they also unanimously passed the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill, which outlines the implementation of the code at the core of the two motions. LegCo President Andrew Leung hailed the passages, saying they marked a 'new milestone' for the opposition-free legislature, as he led a group of veteran lawmakers to meet reporters after the vote. '[The new code of conduct] stipulates the requirement for the behaviour and performance of lawmakers, so that there will be rules to follow for lawmakers in the new term,' Leung said in Cantonese. The code will take effect when the new LegCo term begins on January 1 next year. Leung did not cast a vote on Thursday in keeping with the tradition of the LegCo president maintaining neutrality. The new Code for Members of the Legislative Council states that legislators should attend meetings and 'actively and conscientiously' participate in voting. Absence without a valid reason that causes disruption to LegCo meetings could result in a financial penalty for lawmakers, according to the new rules. The LegCo's existing Rules of Procedure do not explicitly set out attendance requirements for lawmakers, except for mandating quorum for its general and committee meetings, in which a minimum number of lawmakers must be present for the meeting to begin. The new code also requires lawmakers to 'sincerely support' the chief executive and the government. It says they should not 'deliberately undermine or weaken the effectiveness of executive-led governance.' Lawmakers must adhere to strict rules when declaring their interests, including those related to employment, election donations, sponsorships and gifts, the code stipulates. As part of the changes, the Committee on Members' Interests will be empowered to investigate complaints against lawmakers and recommend sanctions. The committee will be renamed the 'Legislative Council Supervisory Committee.' Misconduct under the new code could be met with sanctions ranging from a written warning to suspension of duties. A suspended lawmaker will not receive pay and allowance, including end-of-service gratuity, during the period of suspension. During the meeting on Thursday, lawmaker Tse, who also chairs LegCo's Committee on Rules of Procedure, described enacting the new code of conduct as a means of 'mending the fold after a sheep is lost,' using a common Chinese idiom. 'Although the current [LegCo] term has been more efficient than previous terms… we still hope to further regulate the work of lawmakers,' Tse said in Cantonese. Beijing overhauled Hong Kong's LegCo elections in 2021 to ensure only 'patriots' hold office. The move reduced democratic representation in the legislature, tightened control of elections and introduced a pro-Beijing panel to vet candidates. Most of the city's opposition politicians have either been jailed, left Hong Kong, or quit politics after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 following large-scale pro-democracy protests and unrest. The current Legislative Council term began in 2022 and will finish at the end of the year. Elections are scheduled for December. Leung said the new rules would not deter potential candidates from running in the LegCo elections. Martin Liao, a veteran lawmaker, said it would be 'fair' for the candidates to understand society's expectations for a lawmaker before running for a seat. 'I think the legislators in the next term are expected to comply with the [new] rules of procedures just inasmuch as we are expected to comply with our current rules of procedures,' Liao added.
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
HK's same-sex union Bill marks first big split between govt and legislature
The contention is over the government's proposal to recognise a limited set of legal rights for same-sex couples who are married abroad. – The first major clash of views between Hong Kong leader John Lee's administration and the usually biddable legislature is centred on an issue that affects just 6 per cent of the city's population. The contention is over the government's proposal to recognise a limited set of legal rights for same-sex couples who are married abroad. This move would affect the roughly 450,000 people who identify as non-heterosexual in the population of 7.4 million in the Asian financial hub. The divergence of views, while a healthy sign of diversity, is proving a headache for the government. The Bill to recognise these rights – which is the government's bid to comply with a landmark court ruling in 2023 obliging it to do so – was formally introduced to the Legislative Council (LegCo) on July 16. Lawmakers were set to debate the proposal, but that has for now been adjourned. A date for the debate, which precedes a vote on the Bill, has yet to be announced. The delay comes after strong opposition to the Bill from nearly half the 89-member LegCo. For the Bill to be passed into law, a majority vote is required. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore UOB awarded $17.7m in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Asia Lightning strikes kill 33 people in eastern India But with 41 lawmakers having already said they will either reject the Bill or abstain from the vote and only eight publicly expressing their support for it so far, a veto looks almost certain. It is an unusual situation in Hong Kong's 'patriots only' legislature, which has, since an electoral overhaul in 2021, been largely aligned with the government's objectives, resulting in the uneventful passage of most Bills – until now. Over the past week, top officials have repeatedly articulated the government's stance on the matter and urged lawmakers to back the same-sex partnerships Bill. On July 15, a day ahead of the Bill's scheduled readings in LegCo, Chief Executive Lee stressed that the government was obliged to set up a framework to recognise the core legal rights of married same-sex couples, or risk violating the rule of law. 'The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's economy, investors' confidence and its long-established success,' Mr Lee said. 'Violating it will mean serious consequences.' He added, however, that he would 'respect the LegCo's final decision' on the matter. Hong Kong's top court had in September 2023 ruled that the government had failed in its Constitutional duty to provide means for the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, and gave it two years to do so. The deadline falls on Oct 27. The Court of Final Appeal's ruling came after gay activist Jimmy Sham's legal challenge to the city to recognise such marriages registered abroad. Same-sex marriages are not permitted in Hong Kong. On July 16, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told LegCo that the government's proposal was a 'reasonable balance' between fulfilling same-sex couples' basic societal needs and preserving the heterosexual marriage system. 'The government understands that the Bill is controversial, but… we hope lawmakers will be pragmatic, rational and impartial in scrutinising it,' he said. LegCo rules stipulate that the scrutiny of a Bill should 'be completed within three months of its commencement', or an extension be requested if necessary. The proposed framework grants to same-sex couples who have entered into marriage overseas, and of whom at least one is a Hong Kong resident, legal rights in matters relating to healthcare, such as making medical decisions, hospital visits and after-death arrangements. But many lawmakers in the city's heavyweight political parties see it as an attack on the institution of marriage. Legislator Holden Chow of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong said the Bill, if passed, would in effect recognise same-sex marriage. Legislator Stanley Ng of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions warned that the Bill would 'completely turn our values and foundations upside down'. Independent lawmaker Junius Ho called on the government to ask Beijing to overturn the court ruling, arguing that the proposed law would 'hurt tens of thousands of Hong Kong's future generations'. 'Diversity, inclusiveness, equality. Together, they are D-I-E. Die. A dead end,' he told a forum in December 2024. Among the few legislators publicly supporting the Bill is Mrs Regina Ip of the New People's Party, who described it as a 'very practical' proposal that allows the government to do merely 'the minimum' to fulfil the court's order. According to Professor John Burns, emeritus professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, the discord over the Bill raises some broader issues. 'It demonstrates to the world that Hong Kong continues to have its own autonomy as its courts and the government remain independent (from the Chinese central government),' Prof Burns said. 'But Junius Ho's call to have Beijing step in to overturn the Hong Kong court ruling serves to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and 'one country, two systems',' he added. 'One country, two systems' refers to the framework under which Beijing promised Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy that lets it retain its own economic, legal and administrative systems that are different from those of mainland China after returning to the mainland's fold in 1997. 'It also raises the issue of the extent to which this Legislative Council actually represents the people of Hong Kong, as the lawmakers' overwhelming opposition to the Bill is out of step with public opinion in the city,' said Prof Burns. A 2023 survey showed 85 per cent of Hong Kongers favour granting some legal rights to same-sex couples. Sixty per cent of the more than 1,500 respondents said they agreed with same-sex marriage; 23 per cent were neutral; while 17 per cent were against it. Prof Burns suggested that the lawmakers' opposition could also be in part to pander to their ultra-conservative supporters ahead of the upcoming LegCo elections on Dec 7. Until now, the current LegCo had been closely aligned with the government's goals, helping it push through legislation that in a previous era would have been endlessly stalled by dissenting lawmakers and their filibustering. In 2024, for example, it took just 12 days to approve a domestic national security law that had been delayed for over two decades. Mr Jerome Yau, co-founder of the advocacy group Hong Kong Marriage Equality, said the same-sex partnerships Bill 'represents a small but important step forward in acknowledging same-sex relationships in Hong Kong'. The diverse views on the issue 'show that Hong Kong is a pluralistic society', Mr Yau said, adding that it was in Hong Kong's best interests to maintain this aspect of the city 'as global talent and investors increasingly value openness, diversity and inclusivity'. 'Any protection is better than none,' his non-governmental organisation said in a separate statement. 'But the proposal, as it stands, falls well short of providing the full and equal recognition that all couples and families deserve.' Even so, Hong Kong-based Singaporean lawyer Tan Loke Khoon, who is openly gay, is 'grateful' that the government is pushing to pass the Bill. Hong Kong-based Singaporean lawyer Tan Loke Khoon (left) with his partner Peter Leong on their wedding day in Vancouver, Canada, on Dec 22, 2022. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR TAN LOKE KHOON Mr Tan, who wed his partner Peter Leong in Vancouver, Canada, in 2022, said he had been disappointed he could not get married in Hong Kong or Singapore, both of which he calls home. 'It means so much to be able to celebrate your union with your partner in the place you love. But the reality is that things take time,' said the lawyer who leads LGBT initiatives, including Pink Dot, in Hong Kong and the region for his law firm. Having legal rights from his marriage recognised in Hong Kong would be an 'extremely important and necessary' development for the city. 'Just as Singapore made a small step forward in repealing 377A, Hong Kong would be moving in the right direction if the same-sex partnerships Bill is passed here,' he added. Mr Tan was referring to a colonial-era law under Section 377A of Singapore's penal code that had criminalised sex between men for nearly a century until it was abolished in 2022 . Singapore also amended the Constitution at the same time to protect the heterosexual definition of marriage – a union between a man and a woman – from legal challenge. Prof Burns expects the Bill to 'die at the stage of debate', given the lack of lawmaker support for the Hong Kong government's proposed legislation. 'The government can then request an extension of the Oct 27 deadline from the court, and push the matter to the new LegCo after the election in December,' he said. Hong Kong's situation is already better than that in other jurisdictions, the academic said, explaining that the city has judges who can adjudicate independently on such matters of contention, a government that is obliged to heed the courts' orders, and lawmakers who can vote on these matters. But the legislature's strong opposition to the Bill that affects only the small group of non-heterosexual people is a reflection of the 'small-mindedness and lack of cosmopolitanism' that exists within Hong Kong society, Prof Burns said. 'It suggests that Hong Kong is still not a global city and that it is not actually interested in attracting the best talents, wherever and whomever they may be,' he added.
HKFP
17-07-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong minister urges lawmakers to support gov't proposal to give limited rights to same-sex couples
A Hong Kong minister has urged lawmakers to be 'objective' and support the government's plan to afford limited recognition to same-sex couples registered abroad. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said during a Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Wednesday that he understood the bill was controversial, but insisted the proposal would not undermine traditional family values. 'We maintain that the bill has struck a balance,' he said in Cantonese. 'Under the premise of an inclusive, cohesive, and united society, we also hope that legislators can conduct a professional review of this bill in an objective, impartial and fact-based way.' Earlier this month, the government presented lawmakers with a proposal to establish a registration system for same-sex couples who were married or had formed a civil union abroad. The bill is limited to granting registered couples rights in matters relating to healthcare and death, such as hospital visits, making medical decisions, and collecting the body of a deceased partner. At least one person in the couple must be a Hong Kong resident. Many lawmakers in the opposition-free legislature have expressed opposition to the bill, calling it 'an attack' on the institution of marriage. They have also said that the proposal could pave the way for legalising same-sex marriage in Hong Kong. The LegCo no longer has any pro-democracy members after an overhaul in 2021 required lawmakers to be 'patriots' to take office. Meanwhile, LGBTQ groups have said that the proposal falls short of giving same-sex couples full recognition and protection. The bill requires couples to have their partnerships registered abroad and does not address issues such as childcare and inheritance. NGOs including Hong Kong Marriage Equality have also cited high public support in Hong Kong for LGBTQ rights, pointing to a 2023 survey that found around 60 per cent of respondents agreed with same-sex marriage. 'Legally binding' The government's proposal comes as Hong Kong has around three months left to establish a framework for recognising same-sex partnerships, following a top court ruling in 2023 that found the lack of such a mechanism unconstitutional. The Court of Final Appeal gave the government two years to put such a mechanism in place. However, no known public consultations have been held despite attempts by LGBTQ groups to share their views with the government. Speaking to lawmakers on Wednesday, Tsang said the government has a responsibility to abide by the top court's ruling. Otherwise, he added, that would undermine the city's rule of law. 'The Court of Final Appeal's ruling is absolutely legally binding… the government cannot defy the court's decision,' he said. Lawmakers will debate the bill at a House Committee meeting on Friday. According to HK01, 45 lawmakers – more than half of the 89-strong Legislative Council – have said they are inclined to vote against the bill or abstain from voting. Members of pro-establishment parties, including the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and the Liberal Party – are expected to vote down the proposal. Only one party – the New People's Party – has said it would support the bill. Independent lawmaker Doreen Kong, and some members of the Executive Council, including Stanley Ng and Gary Chan, have indicated they would vote in favour, Ming Pao reported. Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that substantial research and consideration of legal advice went into the authorities' formulation of the proposal. He said the city's marriage system would remain 'monogamous and heterosexual,' apparently seeking to assuage lawmakers' opposition to the proposal.
