Enhancing Government Governance Capacity: A Critical Pathway for Hong Kong’s Transition from “Chaos to Order” to “Order to Prosperity”

Abstract:

Since Hong Kong’s return to China, the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has faced multiple major governance and social crises. To improve the governance system, enhance governance capacity, and strengthen governance efficacy, it is essential not only for the central government to exercise its overall jurisdiction but also for the SAR government to reinforce its governance capabilities. In recent years, Hong Kong has gradually established a new governance framework through measures such as the enactment and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the reform and improvement of the electoral system, the effective implementation of the fundamental principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, and the restructuring of key governance institutions (e.g., the Election Committee and Legislative Council). These measures have institutionally addressed the question of “who governs”, yet challenges remain in operationalizing “how to govern” and “governance effectiveness” within the system.

Hong Kong’s governance system still suffers from institutional weaknesses in areas such as administrative efficiency, leadership capacity, and public trust. Key solutions include reforming and refining the SAR’s bureaucratic apparatus by: (1) forming a patriotic, cohesive, and visionary governing team within the executive branch; (2) strengthening the governance capabilities of this team; and (3) improving accountability mechanisms, performance evaluation, and incentive systems for civil servants. The current bureaucratic system retains deep-seated influences from the pre-1997 British colonial political culture, exhibiting normative deficiencies. Addressing this requires rebuilding an emotional and institutional connection between Hong Kong’s bureaucracy and the nation, ensuring genuine political loyalty to the state.

Moving forward, further reforms to the administrative system must deepen the implementation of the central government’s directives on enhancing Hong Kong’s governance capacity, solidifying central authority, and advancing Hong Kong’s transition from “order restored” to “prosperity sustained.”