(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee today said that appointed district councillors must be patriots who bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, adding that their capabilities and experience in serving the community will also be assessed.

Mr Lee was responding this morning to questions from reporters concerning the requirements for being appointed to the district councils.

“In our appointment of candidates to be district council members, of course we will look at what he will contribute to the overall good, to the well-being of district matters, as a member of the district council,” he said.

Mr Lee added that appointees have to be patriots, support the Basic Law, and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

“But it is also important that we look at his competence, his experience, his background, his knowledge, and whether he has things to offer,” he explained.