As the Chinese mainland recently announced dates for the 2026 Two Sessions, deputies to the National People's Congress are crisscrossing their regions to gather public opinion. In one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, veteran NPC deputy Chan Yung is on a mission: listen first, legislate later 🎤.
On a sunny January morning, Chan Yung walked along busy streets and chatted with market vendors, students, and elderly residents. His goal? Turn everyday concerns—like more youth job opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 🗺️ and better cross-border support for seniors—into policy suggestions for Beijing.
Chan explains that young people here seek clear paths to innovation hubs in Shenzhen and beyond, dreaming of startups, tech labs, and creative studios. He says breaking down red tape and building richer exchange programs with the mainland will be key.
Meanwhile, seniors at local community centers shared stories of visiting family across the border but facing complex healthcare and social service questions. Chan took notes, promising to push for more unified elder-care services and easier medical referrals between Hong Kong and the mainland.
This grassroots approach reflects a new wave of engagement in Hong Kong's eighth-term Legislative Council. By collecting ideas from markets, cafés, and street corners, deputies like Chan aim to bring authentic voices to the national stage this March.
As the countdown to March begins, all eyes are on Beijing. But for Chan Yung and his neighbors in Hong Kong, policy starts with a listening ear—and that means turning every conversation into a chance for change 🌟.
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Hong Kong NPC deputy gathers grassroots voices before Beijing meetings
cgtn.com
